I Don't Want to Know How Fat I Am.

I used to want to live in New York.

However, that dream died earlier this month when restaurants were forced to begin posting calories next to menu items. Have you heard about this awful news? If you haven't yet, let me explain: In a moment of insanity somebody in New York City thought it would be a good idea if every restaurant in the city posted calories next to all of their menu items. Read the full article from MSNBC here.

Hmmm.......that sounds genius. Let's run every restaurant in the city out of business.

Think about how often you eat out in restaurants. Think of the decisions you had made previously based on gut instinct. It's likely that you went with what you "thought" was a healthier option, or you didn't care at all.

Now, whether you care about calories or not you still will be faced with knowing exactly what you're eating an how many calories it has. Sometimes knowledge isn't power.

Why would anyone want to know this information? If you are trying to "cut back" and want to stick to a strict daily calorie diet then don't go out to eat at all. You don't belong in a restaurant, stay at home and eat your Special K.

What is NYC trying to prove? Is this their desperate attempt to fight back on America's growing obesity? I suppose it makes them feel nice inside that they are making an effort to promote a healthier lifestyle. It makes me feel miserable.

The addition of calorie counts on menu items will result in a few things - all of which are unrelated to improved health and a happier society:

1. A significant decline in restaurant business. This decline will be related to the purchasing of fewer items. Instead of a bagel and coffee for breakfast, maybe you will just go with the coffee. It will also lead to far less visits, now every occasion at a restaurant will turn in to a "special" occasion when you can splurge.

2. People won't loose any weight. They will stay home and eat their tub of ice cream in a depressed state of mind knowing they "can't" go out to eat. It's just too unhealthy.

3. "Healthy" restaurants (if any actually exist) will thrive.


Calculate you're Chipotle Calories by clicking here.

This is a restaurant nightmare.

Restaurants exist for a primary reason: good food. No questions asked. They make their money by serving amazing food with remarkable service. They don't get paid to be health consultants. They get paid when customers come back over and over and over again for food - good food. Food that they shouldn't feel guilty about eating.

Hardly any restaurant on earth makes a new menu item and thinks, "Hmm I wonder how many calories are in this?" They create a new menu item and think, "Does this taste amazing?"

NYC please listen - nobody wants to know how many calories are in the menu items from our favorite restaurants. We want to eat in peace. We go out to eat, TO EAT! Not to think about not eating.

Most interestingly, no one seems to pay attention to calories on the back of packaging at the grocery store. If we want Oreos, we're going to buy Oreos regardless of how many calories are in them. I am guessing that in a year or so once the calorie dust has settled, people will stop caring.

Until you stop caring though, avoid NYC. It's possible seeing calories next to some of your favorite dishes will scar your mind forever. If you live in NYC, might I suggest buying a blindfold?