I HATE Tortillas and Demand Universal Calorie Postings

Today the wife snagged me some lunch from Chic-fil-a and when she called me I thought of my options: greasy breaded sandwich, grilled sandwich or wrap. Thinking it was less of a calorie hit, I chose the wrap.

That stinking wrap had 410 calories!!! The greasy sandwich (which tastes about 1,000x better) was 440. For a measly 30 calories, I would have picked the latter.

Since last April I've become a calorie counter and generally know what I'm up to. But on this day, I was not thinking. For some reason, me and many others have tortillas in their heads as less calories than buns. (I don't blame you little girl... I BLAME YOUR MOTHER!!!) Generally tortillas are just as bad if not worse than buns. I can't even remember the last time I got the tortilla at Chipotle or Cafe Rio for this very reason.

But the real issues here are calories, information and the free market. I definitely lean conservative on most issues, but posting calories on menus is something our country has to do. EVERYWHERE. We have an obesity epidemic and I think it would be very helpful to the general public if this information was required on all menus (especially drive-thrus). But this sounds like another big-brother government program right? WRONG.

Proprietors complain that posting calories will hurt their sales. Why? Because its easy and cheap to make nasty food that tastes great and we buy a ton of it, unaware of exactly what we are consuming. This is not a market transaction. Here is a slightly abbreviated OCC definition of a market transaction between buyer (consumer) and seller (business).


Market Value - The most probable price... in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller each acting prudently, knowledgeably, and assuming that the price is not affected by undue stimulus.

1. Buyer and seller are typically motivated;
2. Both parties are well informed or well advised, and acting in what they consider their own best interests;
3. A reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market;
4. Payment is made in terms of cash in United States dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and
5. The price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale.

At a restaurant, motivations are generally clear for both parties (they offer food, we pay and eat). The big question is on point two. The proprietor knows what is in their food, but you don't. Its like buying a house but not knowing what may be wrong with it. That transaction is nuts for a buyer, but we do it all the time with food. We are therefore not well informed or advised and potentially acting in what we consider to be our own best interests. 

Proprietors complain:

But its hard to re-design menu boards! (except when you have a new menu item or special)

The information is posted on our website or that chart the size of Africa on the wall! (Yes, and everyone in line can easily get there or see it or have the time to look it all up.)

So why not require businesses to compete in the open market? If their food is crap and filled with 800-1,200 calories the market will decide if they want to buy or not. But consumers need the information readily available to even the playing field. Right now the deck is stacked in the restaurant's favor. We are all going to pay the bill (thanks to our medical system) for treatment of obesity related problems. Why make it worse so a few businesses can compete unfairly (with each other and consumers)?

I know there are a bunch of studies that say posting calories on menus and at fast food joints isn't helping. A few comments. 

1. How long have we been doing these studies and under what conditions? There may be flaws in the collection and analysis of the data. 
2. Many people eating fast food accept they are eating like garbage, but what about sit-down restaurants or other small establishments? Plenty of heath-minded consumers go there and could use the information. 
3. If this information were readily available everywhere and not just a few places, it may become more ingrained in people's decision making. 

Lately, there has been a witch hunt on smoking and getting out the truth about how its killing us. Why can't this be done for calories, weight and health? Look at what we've done according to the CDC:

Clearly, we can do better. I really don't want regulate people into skinniness, or control businesses. But I do believe in a free market place of ideas AND INFORMATION.

Imagine eating out in a world where restaurants are competing to offer menu items that maximize taste and calories. Give people the information and let the market decide. Its not socialism, its responsible capitalism.

DEATH TO ALL TORTILLAS!!!