Story Created:
Feb 8, 2010 at 6:13 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 8, 2010 at 7:06 PM CDT
PADUCAH, KY- "Mommy, eat this," Abigail demands of her mother, Mary Emerson.
Emerson shakes her head and tells the 3-year-old of her fruit cup, "No, you eat it."
The little girl, her mother reports, is a handful at each and every meal.
"It's very frustrating because there's sometimes when she hasn't eaten what I think she needs to eat and then I really break down and just let her have anything she wants," Emerson admits.
But she could soon be thinking twice. Kentucky House Bill 246 would require restaurants to display caloric information on their menu boards.
"Basically what it would read is cheeseburger, x amount of calories, and the price," Representative Brent Housman reported.
Housman is on The Health & Welfare Committee reviewing the bill.
He's hopeful it will lead Kentuckians to lifestyle changes,"I think for a certain percent of the population it may help."
But fast-food restaurant owners like Mark Riley of Chic-Fil-A wonder.
"I don't know if people are gonna take the time to do that," he said Monday.
Riley does offer a nutrition guide, "It's the first thing they see when they come in."
But, he says, customers rarely look at it. In fact, Mary Emerson never has. But with the calories right in front of her, she says it is something she just cannot ignore.
"I would change probably my ways of feeding her and eating myself also," she said.
The bill could change little Abigail's lifestyle and Emerson says it could have changed hers -years ago.
"I might not be as big as I am now," she admitted.
While the bill, if passed, could prove helpful to consumers- restaurant owners would spend big bucks for new signs. A Louisville man who operates 12 restaurants testified to the Committee last week, if the bill passes it would cost him $65,000. That is a cost, he admitted, that he would likely pass on to his customers.
House Bill 246 was brought up in session Thursday. On the agenda it was changed to be a discussion only item. Representative Housman says it will likely be voted on in 2011.
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watching calories said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 7:54 PM
I think it would be helpful. For example, did you know that McD's Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich has more calories than a Quarter Pounder? Many times people will choose chicken, or even a salad over beef thinking they are saving calories when actually they are eating more.
37329664Debbie said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 5:23 PM
I visited NY and they do this on everything even at Yankee Stadium...
37319151Kris said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 4:36 PM
The woman in the story said, "I might not be as big as I am now," if the calories were listed next to the foods? Please. While I agree that it's good to know what you put in your body, I DON'T agree that it should be left to legislature to babysit people over their own poor eating habits. It should be common sense that a greasy cheesburger has more calories than a fruit cup. Take some responsibility for yourself and stop blaming the menus and fast food chains. Also the woman in the story said she eventually 'gives in' to her kid and lets them eat what they want. STOP DOING THAT if you're so concerned for her health. You are the parent, and therefore responsible for their well being - not the businesses that serve the food.
37313374mcdonald fan said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 4:32 PM
i don't know about other fast food places but good ol' McDonald's has their calories on the boxes and wrappers of their sandwiches and fries and the if you flip over a tray liner all the calorie information is on the back. So if all fast food places did this we wouldn't need this law.
37312876KEC said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 1:19 PM
Amazed so many think this is a good idea.Educate yourself,the answers are probably right at your finger tips.Legislation such as this has no business on the floor.
37291904Anonymous said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 1:05 PM
Anything that prevents a corporation's God-given right to lie to people is socialism. There is nothing in the Constitution saying that a corporation can not lie to people, so that should never be changed.
37290649Holly Silvey said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 12:57 PM
I Agree with Caleigh and Barney. I think it is a good idea. I often look at Calories and such in foods before eating it. This would be a great help in teaching my children too. People would be shocked what is in foods. The food industry may be afraid they would sale less "bad" foods from their menus.
37289909Wait a minute said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 10:16 AM
Ok here's the thing -- some foods are advertised as "healthy" in these restaurants -- the chicken salads often have more calories than the burgers. its a matter of knowing what you are getting
37277526Anonymous said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 9:56 AM
Did we need the "nanny state" to tell us that the hippie's Prius cars had non-working brakes? Nope, because capitalism and the collisions were all we needed. This is no different.
37275936Another Anonymous said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 9:37 AM
I do count calories and find it easier to find a healthy meal at a fast food restaurant then a sit down restaurant. I normally have to get online before going to a fast food restaurant to plan my meal. This would allow me to go to fast food without planning ahead.
37274584anonymous one said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 9:17 AM
Nanny state. I'm really disappointed in Brent Houseman. He should know better than to buy into this nanny state mentality.
37273349Anonymous said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 2:44 AM
Stupid socialists allowing us to know what it is we are buying.
37263291Anonymous said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 1:10 AM
The extra cost of having new menues printed up will be a good excuse for resturants to raise prices higher than they are now!
37261364Anonymous said on Tuesday, Feb 9 at 1:06 AM
This is crazy. If someone is concerned about calories, what are they doing in a fast food place?
37261269Amy V said on Monday, Feb 8 at 10:52 PM
If this bill passes, I think alot of people will be shocked to find out just how many calories their favorite foods have in them
37256847Caleigh Evitts said on Monday, Feb 8 at 10:32 PM
I support this idea. In the long run, it can only lead to better health. And better health leads to a better overall lifestyle. We all eat out at some point, this way we can blame no one but ourselves for our poor food choices.
37255939glj said on Monday, Feb 8 at 10:32 PM
Cokes have the cals. listed on the cans. But, how many people actually take time to look at that? Anyone who has any sense knows that fast food is not healthy. It is fast and easy.
37255894Anonymous said on Monday, Feb 8 at 10:22 PM
Ok people if you old enough to drive and have a kid , then you need to know whats good to eat and not , I know whats not good to eat and good for you since i was 12 , people need to quick looking for someone else or thing to blame for them being over weigh. Just dont eat as much or eat better, we all know what to eat, were past 12 rite, and the mother needs to grow up and teach her kids to eat and act like she says , not as the kids says , come on
37255424tlo said on Monday, Feb 8 at 9:52 PM
good that will help me loose weight cuz i have been counting calories YAY about time :)
37253982Grandma said on Monday, Feb 8 at 9:08 PM
We all know that fast food is not healthy. Parents need to be the adult and tell children NO.
37251949cs said on Monday, Feb 8 at 8:58 PM
I think it's great. I would love to have that information easily so that I could make better decisions even if it meant the meal cost a little more. Sure, a cheesebuger is "bad" but some restaurants serve salads with tons of calories too. It would make it easier for those who want to do better.
37251452Anonymous said on Monday, Feb 8 at 8:53 PM
I believe this is an awesome Idea. No one ever pays attention to What exactly they are eating as long as it tastes good and it's cheap. This will help to raise awareness on the foods that are Not so great
37251157Barney McNeill said on Monday, Feb 8 at 8:46 PM
I think it's a good idea. With obesity so rampant, and the proof that what you eat has a direct effect on one's health,we need education on the foods we eat.
37250782kbf said on Monday, Feb 8 at 6:33 PM
i think u should know u cant eat that and its your responsiblity to say no dont buy if u know its bad
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