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#1 2008-07-21 10:41 am
- radarman
- Member

- Registered: 2005-02-28
- Posts: 3976
A disclosure law for fat folks
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25464987/
Nora Cara was flabbergasted.
She was about to order her usual morning coffee and muffin at Dunkin’ Donuts when she saw the new calorie labels. The chocolate chip muffin she had her eye on was 630 calories.
“I was blown away,” said Cara, a 27-year-old homemaker from Forest Hills in New York City. “I’m not a no-carb type of person, and I usually don’t even think about it. But you pick up a little muffin with your coffee, and it has 630 calories in it? That’s a bit extreme!”
New Yorkers have been in the throes of sticker shock since this spring when the Big Apple became the first city in the country to implement a law forcing chain restaurants to post the calorie count of each food in the same size and font as the price.
I love disclosure laws, because the require vendors or other service providers to provide information to make informed decisions. This is exactly the kind of disclosure law I like, and it's already working.
I'm not so hot on laws that actually forbid or require anything, without really good cause, but I hope these sorts of laws start to become more widespread.
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#2 2008-07-21 11:05 am
- JakeTheTall
- Cargo Cultist

- From: In Permanent Opposition
- Registered: 2003-03-13
- Posts: 10110
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
Can we also have discourse laws before television programs ?
"By not doing some outdoor physical activity such as playing catch, bicycling, or even walking, you will not burn 230 calories during this episode of 'Wife Swap' "
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
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#3 2008-07-21 11:07 am
- Freakout Jackson
- Meme-free

- From: ::moderated like a mo-fo::
- Registered: 2001-08-21
- Posts: 6569
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
JakeTheTall wrote:
Can we also have discourse laws before television programs ?
"By not doing some outdoor physical activity such as playing catch, bicycling, or even walking, you will not burn 230 calories during this episode of 'Wife Swap' "
Psst....dude your analogy's broken.
"The two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a big fat white guy who is threatened by change." - Seth MacFarlane
I couldn't deal with a clone of myself. I would probably kill him inside a week, and tell the police it was justifiable homisuicide, and tell them to sit around and hang out with me for a week to show them why. ~ Dan
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#4 2008-07-21 11:09 am
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
Requiring the nutrition facts of all foods to be publicly and easily available is a great thing. It gives customers the ability to know what they are consuming and to choose healthier food. It should also make consumers reliable for the vast majority of health problems which may be created by eating unhealthy food, lifting liability from the company selling the food. Those are both good things.
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#5 2008-07-21 11:14 am
- JakeTheTall
- Cargo Cultist

- From: In Permanent Opposition
- Registered: 2003-03-13
- Posts: 10110
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
Freakout Jackson wrote:
JakeTheTall wrote:
Can we also have discourse laws before television programs ?
"By not doing some outdoor physical activity such as playing catch, bicycling, or even walking, you will not burn 230 calories during this episode of 'Wife Swap' "Psst....dude your analogy's broken.
I know, but I felt like taking a stab at the other part of the problem, that most people aren't physically active anymore.
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
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#6 2008-07-21 11:32 am
- Jdude
- Surfing on waterboarders

- From: Home is where the war is
- Registered: 2003-02-03
- Posts: 2731
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
I like it. This would make it easier than reading the board on the side of the wall with tiny ass print to find out a double cheeseburger is 6-800 calories.
I would still eat the cheeseburger, unless it would surpass ym daily calorie limit. So I can see the restaurants fighting this.
Sometimes before replying to a topic, I think to myself: I am just so original!
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#7 2008-07-21 11:32 am
- jerwin
- Sophist
- From: The Garden of Pure Ideology
- Registered: 2003-01-01
- Posts: 7408
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
I don't have a bomb calorimeter in my kitchen.
Some subjects actually enjoy pain, and withhold information they might otherwise have divulged in order to be punished.
Central Intelligence Agency. (1983). Human Resource Exploitation Training Manual
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#8 2008-07-21 11:33 am
- Jdude
- Surfing on waterboarders

- From: Home is where the war is
- Registered: 2003-02-03
- Posts: 2731
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
JakeTheTall wrote:
Freakout Jackson wrote:
JakeTheTall wrote:
Can we also have discourse laws before television programs ?
"By not doing some outdoor physical activity such as playing catch, bicycling, or even walking, you will not burn 230 calories during this episode of 'Wife Swap' "Psst....dude your analogy's broken.
I know, but I felt like taking a stab at the other part of the problem, that most people aren't physically active anymore.
Do you live in a county that recently went dry or something? 
Sometimes before replying to a topic, I think to myself: I am just so original!
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#9 2008-07-21 11:35 am
- radarman
- Member

- Registered: 2005-02-28
- Posts: 3976
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
jerwin wrote:
I don't have a bomb calorimeter in my kitchen.
I'm going to assume you aren't a restaurant chain, either. If you were, you would only have to run a few samples of each meal through one - and you could probably rent time at a nearby university that has one.
Or, you could add the calories for each ingredient, deduct a percentage to account for cooking, and call it good - but that probably wouldn't fly as an official figure.
Last edited by radarman (2008-07-21 11:36 am)
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#10 2008-07-21 11:56 am
- jerwin
- Sophist
- From: The Garden of Pure Ideology
- Registered: 2003-01-01
- Posts: 7408
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
radarman wrote:
jerwin wrote:
I don't have a bomb calorimeter in my kitchen.
I'm going to assume you aren't a restaurant chain, either. If you were, you would only have to run a few samples of each meal through one - and you could probably rent time at a nearby university that has one.
Or, you could add the calories for each ingredient, deduct a percentage to account for cooking, and call it good - but that probably wouldn't fly as an official figure.
Eh. I cook for myself, from relatively unprocessed ingredients. And I tend not to patronize restaurant chains
Some subjects actually enjoy pain, and withhold information they might otherwise have divulged in order to be punished.
Central Intelligence Agency. (1983). Human Resource Exploitation Training Manual
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#11 2008-07-21 12:34 pm
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
JakeTheTall wrote:
Can we also have discourse laws before television programs ?
"By not doing some outdoor physical activity such as playing catch, bicycling, or even walking, you will not burn 230 calories during this episode of 'Wife Swap' "
How many calories will you burn if the show inspires you to swap your wife out for a younger model?
In the wind, we hear their laughter
In the rain, we see their tears
Hear their heartbeat
We hear their heartbeat -- U2
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#12 2008-07-21 12:55 pm
- user
- Your plastic pal who's fun to be with

- From: I'm not getting you down, am I
- Registered: 2001-10-15
- Posts: 16468
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
I've got a book Blue Cross sent me that lists the nutritional information for major restaurant chains. I keep it in my car.
Aw, he's no fun, he fell right over.
Unless you become as little children, there's no way you will believe this crap.
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#13 2008-07-21 4:03 pm
- mo' ron
- PS3 4 EVA

- From: NC, USA
- Registered: 2002-10-15
- Posts: 14454
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
After reading a headline recently that 1/4 of all Americans are fat, I do think some of that responsibility goes to businesses and food companies that aggressively push foods made of cheaper less healthy materials, or things that are too "addicting" but unhealthy to try and keep customers dependent.
What is the difference between Vista and OSX?
- Microsoft employees are excited about OSX.
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#14 2008-07-21 4:11 pm
- JakeTheTall
- Cargo Cultist

- From: In Permanent Opposition
- Registered: 2003-03-13
- Posts: 10110
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
mo' ron wrote:
After reading a headline recently that 1/4 of all Americans are fat, I do think some of that responsibility goes to businesses and food companies that aggressively push foods made of cheaper less healthy materials, or things that are too "addicting" but unhealthy to try and keep customers dependent.
"Addicting" ? "Less healthy" ?
Does more calories = less healthy ? Ask anyone who regularly exercises if more calories (or even more fat content) make food "unhealthy."
I just see people eating too many calories.
Chocolate cake has been around for ages. A both delicious and calorie rich food. Don't blame the cake, nor the cake-maker.
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
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#15 2008-07-21 5:22 pm
- Ribtorus
- Member

- Registered: 2002-07-11
- Posts: 14076
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
I have a simple rule; restaurants are an infrequent indulgence and so I don't particularly care about the nutritional aspects of the meal.
I just don't think I could see myself living in a house without mirrors.
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#16 2008-07-21 6:16 pm
- mo' ron
- PS3 4 EVA

- From: NC, USA
- Registered: 2002-10-15
- Posts: 14454
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
JakeTheTall wrote:
mo' ron wrote:
After reading a headline recently that 1/4 of all Americans are fat, I do think some of that responsibility goes to businesses and food companies that aggressively push foods made of cheaper less healthy materials, or things that are too "addicting" but unhealthy to try and keep customers dependent.
"Addicting" ? "Less healthy" ?
Does more calories = less healthy ? Ask anyone who regularly exercises if more calories (or even more fat content) make food "unhealthy."
I just see people eating too many calories.
Chocolate cake has been around for ages. A both delicious and calorie rich food. Don't blame the cake, nor the cake-maker.
Yes cake has been around for ages, so what's changing then? Why are people so fat?
The primary variable is the massive amounts of processed food we eat.
What is the difference between Vista and OSX?
- Microsoft employees are excited about OSX.
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#17 2008-07-21 6:39 pm
- Farmerkev
- Official Dementor
- Moderator
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- Posts: 19091
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
mo' ron wrote:
[
Yes cake has been around for ages, so what's changing then? Why are people so fat?
The primary variable is the massive amounts of processed food we eat.
That and sedentary lifestyle.
I don't think you can ignore either.
I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called the Suicide Lifeline. I got a call center in Pakistan, and when I told them I was suicidal, they got all excited, and asked if I could drive a truck.
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#18 2008-07-21 6:51 pm
- mo' ron
- PS3 4 EVA

- From: NC, USA
- Registered: 2002-10-15
- Posts: 14454
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
I don't think sedentary lifestyle can be to blamed. Is our lifestyle really more sedentary now than it was 10 or even 20 years ago?
What is the difference between Vista and OSX?
- Microsoft employees are excited about OSX.
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#19 2008-07-21 7:36 pm
- Tallgeese
- Homo loquax nonnumquam sapiens
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- Posts: 34886
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
The OP article has a point. I don't eat Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts muffins but I really never would have guessed that they were over 350 calories. I mean, it's one thing to know that if your lunch varies from going down to the Burger King and going down to the KFC, you're not healthy but who expects a muffin to be practically a meal's worth of fat?
Last edited by Tallgeese (2008-07-21 7:37 pm)
I still believe in liberalism today as much as I ever did, but, oh, there was a happy time when I believed in liberals.
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#20 2008-07-21 8:14 pm
- Ribtorus
- Member

- Registered: 2002-07-11
- Posts: 14076
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
I eat very high calorie meals. I have a rare steak with two eggs almost every lunch. Big salads and lots of green veggies. Supper is yet more meat and veggies. But it's low carb, with the carbs are accompanied by fibre, so my weight, body fat, blood pressure, cholesterol etc are bang on optimal.
I have no idea how all the excess glucose that finds its way into so much food can't help but create an obesity and diabetes "epidemic". I bet there's not enough hours in the day for normal children to burn off all their processed starchy, sugar-laden food and juiceboxes. Sugar will be the new tobacco at some point.
Last edited by Ribtorus (2008-07-21 8:14 pm)
I just don't think I could see myself living in a house without mirrors.
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#21 2008-07-21 8:25 pm
- bratboy
- laden with emotion
- Royal Wombat

- From: Austin, Texas
- Registered: 2003-01-19
- Posts: 34175
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
I enjoy rare red meat, but every day doesn't sound healthy!
"One thing we've learned is there's a difference between being disappointed and having madmen in authority."
--Paul Krugman
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#22 2008-07-21 8:44 pm
- Ribtorus
- Member

- Registered: 2002-07-11
- Posts: 14076
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
bratboy wrote:
I enjoy rare red meat, but every day doesn't sound healthy!
I had to compete for my rotations in A'stan. I was up aginst guys half my age, and I' was never an athlete by any stretch. I'm a proponent of an omnivorous diet of whole, unadulterated food. My medical history is a testament to the efficacy of such a diet.
I just don't think I could see myself living in a house without mirrors.
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#23 2008-07-21 10:23 pm
- sturner
- Royal High Poobah
- Moderator

- From: Carrollton, TX USA
- Registered: 2000-01-31
- Posts: 14584
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
How about disclosure laws for sex?
I'm not dead yet.
There are 3 types of people, those who can count and those who can't.
"There are few things graven in stone, excepting your date of death."
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#24 2008-07-22 3:52 am
- Greywolf
- Member

- Registered: 2002-03-04
- Posts: 491
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
matt wrote:
Requiring the nutrition facts of all foods to be publicly and easily available is a great thing. It gives customers the ability to know what they are consuming and to choose healthier food. It should also make consumers reliable for the vast majority of health problems which may be created by eating unhealthy food, lifting liability from the company selling the food. Those are both good things.
I agree, having the information will be helpful to those who make use of it. Good Change.
But sticking labels on everything won't stop people who are destined to live their whole life without a day's exercise. So it doesn't solve the problem.
mo'ron wrote:
I don't think sedentary lifestyle can be to blamed. Is our lifestyle really more sedentary now than it was 10 or even 20 years ago?
You would have to be pretty blind not to notice that people are spending more and more time behind a computer or TV screen rather then outside herding cattle.
Last edited by Greywolf (2008-07-22 3:56 am)
"After all, it's not that awful, in Italy for thirty years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, bloodshed - they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love, five hundred years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock."
-Graham Greene, The Third Man
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#25 2008-07-22 4:18 am
- kamizuno
- Poking you with a stick

- From: Smileytown
- Registered: 1999-07-13
- Posts: 2003
Re: A disclosure law for fat folks
I'm cool with such laws as long as they don't use weasel words for getting around it, like serving size for a candy being a quarter of the candy bar, seriously who shares candy bars with 3 friends 
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