New research is finding that when when nutritional info is on fast- food restaurant menus, parents are more likely to choose lower calorie foods for their kids.  Due to legislation, many restaurant chains in the U.S. are starting to educate the public with nutrition information about their menu items. 

Is this helping ?  A new study in the department of pediatrics at the University of Washington is Seattle found that when parents are provided with calorie information from McDonald's menus, they chose about 100 calories less per meal for their 3-to 6-year old child compared to parents who didn't have that information. 

One hundred extra calories over time can lead to a significant amount in terms of weight gain when you look at the high rates of fast food consumption  and childhood obesity in America.

These findings lead to the hope that if parents are given nutrition info at the point they are purchasing food for their children that they will actually make lower calorie, healthier choices for their families.  The report was published in the January 25 online issue of Pediatrics.

Maybe the new legislation in many states will lead restaurants to change their menus and offer lower-calorie healthier meals.

Would you change your food choices at a restaurant if you were given this kind of information ?  What restaurants do you frequent that have some really good, healthy food options on their menus and what kind of items do you choose at these places ? 

What restaurants would you like to see change their menus ? 

Here is a link to a really good video that has great tips and ideas to deal with cravings, eat more snacks versus treats, being creative when eating out, getting out of the "I eat lousy because I have no time" trap, and what to do when your scale gets stuck (no you don't throw it out the window).

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2010-01-03-video-diet_N.htm

Next I am going to report on a presentation by Dr. Robert Lustig, Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at UCSF, called "Sugar the Bitter Truth".