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Trying to get your diet back on track after a day filled with feasting?
You may want to avoid that Caesar salad at your favorite restaurant.
Hidden among that deceptively healthy-looking lettuce can be as many as 1,200 calories.
You'd be better off, calorie-wise, getting the hamburger combo meal.
To help consumers make better food decisions, the Food and Drug Administration announced new guidelines this week requiring any establishment with 20 or more locations that sells prepared food to post calorie counts on their menus. Businesses have until next November to comply.
"It's a great idea," said Kary Woodruff, sports dietitian at TOSH — The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital. "It's not saying people can't eat certain foods, but it is helping them make an educated choice. It's not intended to be prohibitive, but it will be helpful."
Woodruff realizes not everyone will consider those calorie counts, but she hopes it will be helpful to people who are watching their weight, cholesterol or heart health.
"This won't impact everyone," Woodruff said, "but there are those on the fence who it will have a positive impact for."
New York City was first in the country to put a calorie-posting law in place. Other cities and states have followed. McDonald's and other restaurant chains already have calorie labels on menus and menu boards. The labels are popular with many, but it's too soon to know whether they'll affect obesity rates.
A recent U.S. Agriculture Department study found the diets of people who use nutritional information are markedly better than those who don't, and healthy eaters had more interest in the labels. The USDA paper concluded that it "may be too optimistic" to expect that those who don't use nutrition information will adopt healthier diets if exposed to it.
Carol Brown, vice president of marketing at Utah-based Arctic Circle Restaurants Inc., says Arctic Circles will post calorie counts, but she doesn't anticipate much change in consumer behavior.
"We will be glad to comply. It'll be a struggle, but we'll do it," Brown said. "I don't think it will change people's habits. People come to fast food for what they want. They'll buy it no matter what the calorie count is."
The same may prove true for movie theaters, which also will be required to post calorie tallies.
Utah's Megaplex Theatres, which are owned by the Larry H. Miller Group, plan to post their counts even though they currently have only 17 locations.
"Guests make all manner of decisions when they come to the movies," said Jeff Whipple, vice president of marketing for Megaplex Theatres. "For those who see it as a treat or night out, they make one set of choices. For others who are watching their calories, they may make another set of choices."
Whipple points to the varied menu at many of the multiplexes — yes, there are heaps of buttery popcorn, but the concession stands also sell salads, wraps, sandwiches, yogurts and fresh fruits and veggies.
"We have quite a varied menu," Whipple said, "compared to many movie theaters."
Choice is something Cafe Rio hopes will allow consumers to pick the meals that are right for them. The Utah-based chain has posted calories on its menu in a test market for the past year.
"Customers appreciate the additional nutritional information the menus provide," said spokeswoman Jennifer Burns. "The great thing about Cafe Rio and the food we prepare is each of our customers have full customization of their meal, making it the way they want."
Once the new counts are posted at eateries nearly everywhere, hidden calories won't lurk around as many corners.
Maybe that will mean you'll go for that chicken wrap over the Caesar salad.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Twitter: @sheena5427 —
Calorie Counts
Here's a look at the calorie counts found at some of Utahns' favorite restaurants.
Arctic Circle
Half-pound Angus cheeseburger • 711 calories
Taco salad • 880 calories (with ranch dressing adds 240 calories)
Fry sauce (1 ounce) • 75 calories
Large vanilla shake • 486 calories
Cafe Rio
Barbacoa salad • 1,100 calories (with tortilla strips, sour cream, cheddar-jack cheese and dressing)
Barbacoa burrito • 860 calories
12-inch tortilla • 420 calories
Little Caesars
Hot-N-Ready cheese pizza • 250 calories per slice; 2,000 calories per whole pie
Hot-N-Ready pepperoni pizza • 280 calories per slice; 2,240 calories per whole pie
McDonald's
Double quarter-pounder with cheese • 740 calories
Large french fries • 510 calories
Chicken McNuggets (10 piece) • 470 calories
Megaplex Theatres
Large popcorn (without butter) • 1,168 calories
Mega-tub (without butter) • 1,460 calories
Mega-mug drink (32 ounce) • 380 calories for Coke, 0 calories for Diet Coke or Coke Zero
Single hamburger • 520 calories
Fruit cup (red grapes) • 80 calories
Gelato • 230 calories
Junior Mints • 510 calories
Olive Garden
Breadstick • 140 calories
House salad with dressing (single serving) • 150 calories
Chicken alfredo • 1,030 calories
Ravioli di Portobello • 570 calories
Tour of Italy • 1,500 calories
Sizzler
Classic steak (8 ounce) • 393 calories
Rib-eye (14 ounce) • 1,055 calories
Malibu chicken (single) • 362 calories
Ribs (full rack) • 1,157 calories
Sonic
Large cherry limeade • 340 calories
Blue raspberry slush • 420 calories
Corn dog • 230 calories
Sonic bacon cheeseburger with mayonnaise • 820 calories