Generally, when I'm heading to a restaurant I'm anticipating that I'm going to have a "treat" and I've planned accordingly with my eating for the day. That being said, I do appreciate knowing the calorie counts on different meals so I know I'm not going overboard with things.

Calorie info on the menu does affect what I order.  I know when I go out to eat it will be a higher calorie count than I'm use to, but with the info in the menu I can watch my intake a little. 

As far as fast food goes.... well fast food is fast food and if I'm hitting a fast food joint (haven't been in about 6 months) calories are not on my mind.

Thanks

i generally don't count the calories...never really knew"how to" to determine what I should or should not eat to loose this Baby belly (now 11hrs old)

Sherrie

Its funny you mention this. I have been counting calories for about 8 weeks now. I really never ate "bad" before, always pretty healthy. But, I never counted. I went to a nutritionist and she has me on a strict 1200(Non workout)-1400(workout) calorie a day plan. I downloaded an app to my phone to track easier my intake of food and water. Already shocked in my first entries how many calories are truly in the items I was eating....not so much anymore! HA! Fruits, veggies, proteins now!

My husband and I went out for a date night about 2 weeks in to my new plan to, Carrabbas. I did a search for the restaurant on this app, and the meal my husband ordered had 1800 calories!!! We then decided to cancel my order and spilt his meal, as we had already had an appetizer that I only ate a 10th of because of the calories. We dont eat out alot, I cook almost every night...but it has certainly surprised me at the items in MOST restaurants how high in calories they are.

It truly is no wonder our society is overweight!!!!!

I totally appreciate and pay attention to the calorie counts at restaurants!!!  It really helps guide my choices.  Being vegan, I am not shy about asking about the ingredients and about how the food was prepared, but like you Ali, I was caught off guard by the calorie counts of a few of my favorite resturant choices!  I was really suprised to hear that the majority of people don't pay attention to calorie counts at restaurants.  Well, I sure do!

When restaurants list calories, I definitely take notice and it does affect my choices.  I have spent the majority of my life never paying attention to exact nutrition information. For the past several years, I've tried to live healither, and in trying to lose weight, I can no longer just be oblivious to what I'm putting in my body. With being a mother, 1) I want to be around for my kids as long as I can and 2) want to be able to equip them with the tools to be as healthy as they can be. It is far too easy to just eat junk and be lazy and get in a really unhealthy state that it just doesn't make any sense to not pay attention!

My wife and I started counting calories almost 10 weeks ago, and we don't eat out if the restaurant doesn't provide calorie information. We plan our orders in advance before we ever go, and make sure the meal won't take us over our daily calorie allowance (1500/day working out). I'm especially fond of the Under 550 menu at Applebee's.

I find that hard to believe... regardless of your caloric requirements/health goals, if you see something has 2400 calories and you see something else you would also like for 600, I don't think you would go for the higher calorie meal! It would be hard to justify.

A year ago I set myself on a journey, lose 100lbs in 1 year.  Well I more than exceeded that goal, losing almost 130.  One of the ways I did this was by keeping my calorie intake within a range (1500-1800 first 6 months and then 1200-1500 after/currently).  That in combination with working-out twice a day has been my only plan. Consistancy has been the key. 

Part of this was taking a different approach when I did eat out.  Every restaurant I go to, I research the menu/nutrition/calorie count before I even get to the restaurant.  I'm then able to plan the rest of my day around my choices.  Recently, a favorite restaurant had been off of my list as they had no good options under 1000 unless I did a small salad and a cup of soup.  They have a new salad that is only 550-600 (depending on the dressing you choose).  Best part, it is WONDERFUL!  I'm able to adjust the rest of my day to accomodate if I'm meeting a friend for lunch.

If I have to eat at a restaurant where the calories are not available or the portions to large, I ask for a carry-out container from the start and split the plate in half.  Generally I try to choose something that would make a good lunch the next day.

I am at goal weight and maintain it pretty well. When I go to a restaurant I am normally willing to splurge a little. I think I would pay attention to cal count if I ate out often. Right now I only eat out once a week so it just isn't an issue. I do not think that restaurants should be mandated to provide that info either. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how to order. Hold the cheese, dressings, nuts, etc if you want to keep calories down. :)

MY NAME IS SUSAN. I AM A MOTHER OF AN AUTISTIC BOY WHO IS ENTERING HIS FIRST YR OF JR HIGH SCHOOL. I AM DISABLED AND NEED TO LOSE MORE THAN 100 POUNDS AND I AM ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CALORIES I INTAKE FOR THE DAY. LSOING WEIGHT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. I ALWAYS TRY TO BE AWARE OF THE NUMBER OF CALORIES RESTAURANTS SAY IS IN  THEIR FOOD. I NEVER ORDER DESSERT AND ISHY AWAY FROM APPETIZERS. SALADS CAN BE DIFFICULT TO AND SO I ALWAYS ASK FOR THE DRESSING ON THE SIDE. FROM ANYONE WHO HAS SUGGESTIONS AS FAR AS CALORIES GO.   SUSAN

I wish it was mandatory for ALL restaurants to have to post their nutritional facts! Like Wendy I have and use an app on my phone for places we might go to eat! Unfortunately there are a lot of places that are not on there and in those cases I wish they posted their calories!!

i am always aware of the amount of calories i take in each day. the amount of a meal will definitely have an impact on what i decide to eat. now saying that, i do feel that you can splurge ONCE in a while , especially if you are vigilant all the rest of the time. I will let myself go over only a few times a year and even then it isn't very much. Ali order the salad, you work out hard,and are aware of what you do,just take half home and share it with Ben and Meghan and your husband or let him take it for lunch the next day. I think totally eliminating something you love isn't worth it if you can just split it and share or enjoy later.

It's no surprise that people who comment here say that calorie counts make a difference.  We are all people who take those things into consideration.  However, I can tell you, as someone who owns a quick service food franchise, that calorie counts don't matter as much to the general public.  On a daily basis, someone asks me, "How many calories does the ____ have?" (They ask about our most basic, lowest calorie item). I tell them, and they proceed to order something with about 500 MORE calories.  I definitely appreciate the laws in California for posting calorie information, it does shape the way that I eat when I eat out, but I know that for most people, the population at large, the postings have not made a difference.  I have friends who own chain restaurants also and they have said the same thing, most people don't care.  Although, again, being in the food service business, there is nothing funnier than seeing someone order 500-1000 calories and then top it off with a DIET soda.  In general, if you walk into any mall food court, the longest lines are at the worst offenders in terms of calories, and people will continue to eat at those places, whether or not the calories are posted.  

I just started using myfitnesspal.com to count calories. I found it from a friend that I am in a weight loss/healthy living group with. We are a bunch of moms that are supporting each other in losing some extra baby weight that we are struggling with. I never realized till I started using myfitnesspal how many calories I should be having each day. There were alot of days that I didnt reach my calorie count and that is the worst thing for your body.