NYC Restaurants Must Show Calorie Counts
July 23, 2008 – 6:04 amPerhaps you’ve heard this already, but it was news to me. Apparently in May NYC passed a law that forces chain restaurants to show the calorie counts on their menus. The idea, I suppose, is that knowledge will help people make better decisions.
I’m not convinced. I already know I should eat better, but unfortunately I don’t always listen to my brain. Perhaps the calorie counts will help people make trade-offs and therefore make “better” decisions rather than “good” decisions (like leaving a fast-food restaurant).
I’ve got an even better idea. Let’s pass a law that forces all businesses to show the amount of money you would have in retirement if you decided to walk away from a purchase. Want a $40,000 new car? That will cost you $155,000 in 20 years at retirement (7% return). And perhaps while we’re at it you could show all of the interest and financing charges that go along with a purchase, since probably only 0.0001% of the people in the world could and would pay cash for a $40,000 new car. 
Another option would be to list the total expense ratios on all mutual fund, annuity, and insurance products. And I’m not just talking about the normal “expense ratio”. I’m talking about all of the trading fees and other hidden expenses as well. That would help people more than knowing the calories in a happy meal (550 calories, 230 from fat, 25g of fat, per McDonald’s website for a Cheeseburger Happy meal).
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One Response to “NYC Restaurants Must Show Calorie Counts”
A very clean looking website. I totally agree with you as government interference gets very absurd.
By doubleourmoney on Jul 23, 2008