Calories on the menu: Why do you still eat things that are bad for you?

A recent study indicates that more people are observing calorie information posted at restaurants in King County after the labels were made mandatory. But does that mean people are making better choices?

The Seattle Times reports some people are adjusting their orders according to the information:

“Consumers who were white, older, wealthier and more highly educated had higher odds of noticing the new calorie information, the study found. Women, those with higher incomes, and those eating at fast-food instead of sit-down restaurants were more likely to actually use the information, the study showed.”

But what about the people who see the caloric information, but choose to order the hefty 700 calorie burger anyway? Why are they making these choices?

Tom & Curley Show host John Curley says he thinks it has to do with self-hate and something negative deep inside them.

“They did it as a sort of way of punishing themselves,” says Curley. “They’d give themselves these things but know at the same time it was bad for them, like screw it I don’t care, my life is so sucky, I’m going to smoke and drink anyway.”

Co-host Tom Tangney says he actually sees himself making some of these poor health choices, but he doesn’t think it comes from a place of self-loathing.

“I think it’s a matter of discipline rather than self-hate,” says Tom. “I don’t know anybody who loves life more than I do and yet I, for the longest time, because of my lifestyle, going to movies [late] and working this [early] shift, I’m always eating the worst kind of food. I have a terrible diet and yet I don’t think it’s out of any sort of self-hatred. It’s just that my priorities are such that I don’t value my health enough.”

Now that Tom has turned 60, he says he’s trying to turn things around. Perhaps the calorie listings at local restaurants will help.

Do they impact your food choices? Let us know in the comments.