PUT NUTRITION INFORMATION ON MENUS (7-2003)

It’s summertime. And what treat is almost synonymous with 
the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer? That’s right – ice 
cream.

Ice cream and summer go together. It’s a favorite snack for 
kids and adults alike. But is ice cream a healthy treat?

The answer to that question depends on how you define 
healthy. Ice cream, being a dairy product, does contain a 
substantial amount of calcium and vitamin D. However, it 
also contains a substantial amount of sugar and saturated 
fat. And, if you’re trying to count calories, ice cream may 
not be the dessert for you.

In fact, the consumer group that periodically comes out 
with a hit list of foods that should be avoided has now set 
its sights on that summertime favorite. The Center for 
Science in the Public Interest released a report last week 
that it says might surprise some consumers.

The CSPI said an empty Ben & Jerry's chocolate-dipped 
waffle cone, designed to hold at least two scoops of ice 
cream, itself packs 320 calories. Now fill that cone with a 
regular scoop of Chunky Monkey ice cream, and the calorie 
total skyrockets to 820, with 30 grams of saturated fat.

Fat, in general, has long gotten a bum rap from mainstream 
agencies like the USDA and consumer groups like the CSPI. 
It is now known that not all fat is bad for you. And even 
saturated fat may not be as bad as once thought, especially 
if carbohydrates are reduced considerably.

But, unless you are on a low-carb diet, it is likely that 
you are eating too much saturated fat. And ice cream may be 
one of the biggest culprits this time of year.

For example, Haagen-Dazs's Mint Chip Dazzler, which 
contains three scoops of ice cream along with cookies and 
fudge, contains 1,270 calories. That’s half a day’s 
allotment of calories for those on a 2,500-calorie-per-day 
diet. That’s what is recommended for the average American 
by the USDA.

But ice cream is certainly not the only offender. The CSPI 
says that restaurants in general offer appetizers that are 
far too fat- and calorie-dense. It may surprise some diners 
to know that a Bloomin’ Onion from the Outback Steak House 
contains more than 2,500 calories. An order of cheese fries 
from the same restaurant has more than 3,000 calories and 
90 grams of saturated fat.

And what about a cup of Starbucks coffee? Surely you can’t 
go wrong there, can you? Actually, a Venti White Chocolate 
Mocha with whipped cream contains 600 calories. Add a scone 
to that for a grand total of 1,130 calories. That’s nearly 
equivalent to two Quarter Pounders with cheese from 
McDonald’s.

Salad eaters are not exactly off the hook either. A chicken 
Caesar salad contains 660 calories and 11 grams of 
saturated fat. And a tuna salad sandwich comes in at 830 
calories with 10 grams of saturated fat. Add potato chips 
and the total tops out at 1,100 calories.

The CSPI isn’t demanding that these foods be pulled from 
the menu, only that the restaurants that sell them provide 
consumers with easy-to-find nutrition information, similar 
to what is found on food labels.

I am not a big fan of the CSPI because it still maintains 
the “party-line” mantra that a high-carbohydrate, low-fat 
diet is best for everyone’s health. For some people, 
especially diabetics and those who are at risk for 
diabetes, the opposite nutrient ratio may be far better.

But I do concur with their call that restaurants provide 
nutrition information for all items on their menus. In 
fact, a typical menu should not only list the food item and 
price, but also the number of calories, the amount of fat, 
carbohydrates, and protein in a serving.

Fast food restaurants should post this information within 
easy view of the customer. Consumers should never have to 
ask for nutritional information; it should be readily 
visible.

If consumers knew just how much fat and how many 
carbohydrates and calories they were about to consume, 
maybe more of them would find it easier to decide to forego 
the appetizer. As it stands, many diners come in to a 
restaurant with the attitude, “If I don’t know how bad it 
is for me, it can’t really hurt me.”

For the consumer, knowledge is power. And having it could 
save their health.