People Don't Know What They're Eating

That burger and fries, or even that creamy latte may be costing you more than you think or care to know in calories.

A new study finds consumers are highly unlikely to seek out pamphlets or other on-site nutritional information at fast food chains.

Researchers at Yale observed more than 4000 customers as they entered and ordered at restaurants including McDonald's, Burger King and Starbucks.

"Out of that 4,000, only 6 people, so that's .01% of customers were actually accessing nutrition information," said Christina Roberto of Yale University.

To help fight obesity in the country, researchers say the observational study suggests calorie information should be displayed in plain view on menus.

"I don't think menu labeling is the magic bullet, but I do think that people are eating a lot of food outside the home. Consumers have the right to know this information, and it will help inform, help them make better choices when they're eating out," said Roberto.

Or will it?

It has been nearly a year since New York City enacted the first law requiring major chains to post calories on menus, boards, and food labels.

And opinions are still varied.

"If I'm going to McDonald's, I'm there to eat McDonald's. I don't want to know what's in it," said one consumer.

"I think giving consumers more information about the products they're buying is a good thing," said another.

Since then, other cities and states have passed or are considering similar laws.

And a growing number of restaurants are voluntarily displaying nutritional information adapting to what consumers want.

The National Restaurant Association has also teamed with healthy dining to create a website where with a click of the mouse, consumers can find dietitian approved menus at participating restaurants nationwide."

"Consumers are very interested in gathering that information, and, again, looking at the specifics so that they can know what they're doing before they go out," said Beth Johnson of the National Restaurant Association.

But if the Yale study is correct, the majority of consumers may still need information staring them in the face in order to make the healthiest choice.

The Yale study appears in the may issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

If you are interested in finding out more about nutritional information at restaurants, you can log on to www.healthydiningfinder.com.