Your favorite fast food chain’s menu may look different as of Monday.
Starting this week, all chain restaurants in the country are requiredto publish calorie counts as a part of the Affordable Care Act. The ruling was supposed to roll out in 2015, but because of opposition from smaller chains, the calorie counts weren’t introduced until now.
Food writer Corby Kummer joined Boston Public Radio to explain why he thinks the addition of calorie counts on menus will make a difference.
“It is a good thing over all,” he said. “I think this is very helpful for industry to start making portions smaller.”
Kummer explained that the benefits of calorie counts will apply to individuals and to the restaurant industry.
“People, in some studies, reduce as much as 50 to 60 calories a day. That can make five to six pounds of difference a year,” he said. “In children, it's calculated that can prevent them from [having] obesity.”
Kummer also said the “sticker shock” of seeing calories next to items like baked goods will incentivize restaurants to shrink portion sizes.
“I do think ... it will convince Whole Foods to make its cupcakes a little smaller so that you aren’t as shocked,” said Kummer.
Food writer Corby Kummer is a senior editor at The Atlantic, a columnist at the New Republic and restaurant critic. To hear his interview in its entirety, click on the audio player above.
