In 2012 All American Chain Restaurants Will List Nutrition Information On Menus ⇒

The law requiring nutrition information will go into effect nationwide next year. Many chains are offering more healthful options, but diners often don’t take advantage of the better choices.

Just how many calories in that eggplant parmigiana? In 2012, when restaurant labeling becomes the law of the land as part of healthcare reform legislation, diners will be in for some surprises. The law requires restaurants and retail food businesses with 20 or more locations to list calorie content for standard items on menus and menu boards. Drive-throughs are included, but movie theaters are exempt. Beyond calories, more detailed nutritional information — such as sodium, saturated fat or cholesterol content — must be available on request.

It is about damn time.

I am not saying that this will fix the nation’s obesity epidemic or that most people will take advantage of the information, but hopefully it will open up some to the notion that they’re overeating. Also, it puts my faith in restaurants to start offering healthier choices before this goes into effect so that they can prevent their chains from losing customers based on high calorie choices.

This is not the solution, but it’s a great step in the right direction and I’m excited to see it come to fruition.