May. 27 2010 - 9:11 am | 146 views | 0 recommendations | 4 comments

Calories on the Menu – thanks Panera

By MARJIE KILLEEN

I was so happy to see the calories listed on the Panera menu board I took a picture of it.

Yesterday I went to the Panera Bread in downtown Wilmette and was surprised to see the billboard menu now lists calorie content along with the price and description of each item.

The full disclosure was shocking.

Wait, I thought, now I can choose my lunch based not only on what sounds good, but how good an item is for me? What a radical idea!

Panera Bread is one of the first chain restaurants that voluntarily posts calorie counts in all their stores, but consumers are likely to see more restaurants follow suit as local governments – like New York City - pass laws that require the information. And Michelle Obama’s campaign to end childhood obesity will likely bring increased focus to the need for Americans to make healthier food choices.

I’m no stranger to calorie counting. I went to Weight Watchers for years, I’ve got the Lose It! app on my iphone. I know I shouldn’t eat more than about 2000 calories a day or I’ll gain weight. Still, when I go to a restaurant I have no problem putting myself in a state of nutritional denial.

With calories listed on the menu I can’t do that. The information forces me to consider the trade-offs of taste and calories, which is actually very empowering.

Yesterday, I was in the mood for a veggie sandwich. After reviewing the Panera menu I chose the Mediterranean Veggie on Tomato Basil Bread for 610 calories instead of the Tomato Mozzarella Panini for 770. Still, 610 calories is not exactly a light lunch, so I decided to take the side of chips (150 calories) home with me to eat another time.

Biting into my tasty sandwich, I felt positively virtuous. Having a choice when it comes to calories makes eating out extra satisfying.