The recent Supreme Court decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has cleared the way for national requirements regarding posting information about calories, fat, and sodium content. A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in July of 2012 that looked at the impact of menu labels in King County, Washington showed that only minor changes have resulted, but that this is a good start.
56% of entrees exceeded in calories, 77% in fat, and 90% in sodium content. There was only 41 fewer calories in entrees, but over a year this could mean 5-10 pounds. We need more awareness and education if we're going to change the way restaurants prepare meals.
