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King County makes eating healthier easier

As of January 1, 2009, 160 chain restaurants with 1600 locations are required to provide nutrition information to customers at the point of ordering.March is National Nutrition Month - a great time to spring into action and improve your eating habits.

2000 calories a day is all most adults should eat. But most people underestimate the calories they consume, especially for less-healthy items. As a result, it is easy to take in too many calories without realizing it.

Eating or drinking more calories than the body uses causes weight gain, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Just 100 extra calories a day leads to 10 pounds of extra weight in a year, so choosing wisely is important.

Thanks to the King County Board of Health's nutrition labeling regulation it's now easier to make informed food choices. As of January 1, 2009, 160 chain restaurants with 1600 locations are required to provide nutrition information to customers at the point of ordering.

There are several ways restaurants can do this:

  • Quick service restaurants with menu boards must provide calorie information on the menu board or on a sign visible when waiting in line. Nutrition information about carbohydrates, saturated fat, and sodium should be readily available on a poster or pamphlet.

  • Chain restaurants with menus must provide information about calories, carbohydrates, saturated fat and sodium next to each menu item. They may also list the information on an insert, appendix, or supplemental menu.

So the next time you go out to eat, compare the nutritional information for each menu item and choose wisely. Eating about one-third of your total daily calories at a meal is a reasonable goal. Also try to follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations by limiting saturated fat to 20 grams and sodium to 2,300 milligrams daily. Your body will thank you for it.

For more information about the regulation including a list of chain restaurants that are affected go to Public Health Seattle & King County's Transfat and Nutrition Labeling website.

For additional information that can help you to make healthier food choices visit the Health Matters Eat Smart webpages.