TV pundits wonder if NYC's calorie-labeling law will drive people away from Starbucks

The summary for this brief video says: "Kristin Bentz and Simon Constable are staggered to find out how many calories are in Frappucinos and lemon bars and speculate that New York's labeling law [which requires public display of calorie contents] could drive customers to smaller restaurants." Webmaster Jim's view: I doubt it; I suspect people already know what they eat/drink is calorie-packed, and they've rationalized their consumption ("I just won't have dessert tonight"). (Watch TheStreet.com video)

Comments

[Drive, He Said]

That video is SO cute!

She is eating an iced lemon loaf, not a lemon bar. We haven't had lemon bars for five years or so. But whatever.

[bee]

To be honest, no one has said much about the signs, though I think that people have been ordering mostly from memory, ie they know what they want already and don't really look at the case. It'll definitely cause a negative long term reaction though, I think, but hopefully that just means the BUX will just be innovative with what they put in the case.

[Lu Zeng]

It might stop me from ordering the pastries and baked goods, but otherwise, simply be interesting reading material while I wait in line.

This will actually be good for people like me. I always overestimated the calories in things. I figured the muffins had about 700 calories since they are HUGE. I also thought my drink had about 150 calories more than it does.

[WateryTart]

Will it include info like carbs, or just calories?

[Sho Nuff]

I think the people who REALLY care about the caloric intake of what they get at Starbucks have already asked for a nutrition guide and know what to get/what not to get for their own health benefits...

There's nothing wrong with watching what you eat, but shoving that information in your face like that seems a little over the top.

[Sho Nuff]

I think the people who REALLY care about the caloric intake of what they get at Starbucks have already asked for a nutrition guide and know what to get/what not to get for their own health benefits...

There's nothing wrong with watching what you eat, but shoving that information in your face like that seems a little over the top.

My store has lemon bars...although they are not good at all.

[ensenadajim]

Well, when reality conflicts with their perception of how fat these items are, then a few may drop out - but not many because USAians are the fat asses of the world and they, frankly, don;t seem to give a hoot.

jim

Those who care will already know. I check out every baked item and new drink for nutrition info before ordering... ok so maybe I'll try it once before knowing, after that I'm done :) It'll be fine a lot of people just don't have a concept of how much calories add up and I doubt this will change it much

[Torontodude]

There is much more to nutrition than calories.

And it looks like the dangers of fat have been exaggerated in recent years. It turns out the idea that a "low fat, high carb" diet is good for you has been spectacularly wrong. There is increasing evidence that what's really bad for you is:
- sugar, especially processed and refined white sugar
- flour, especially processed and refined white sugar

See Gary Taubes bestseller "Good Calories, Bad Calories" for more.

According to this school of thought:
- some types of yogurt may not necessarily be better for you than pastry (since a small yogurt may be loaded with the equivalent of 8 to 10 teaspoons of processed and refined white sugar)
- the type of pastries and cookies available at Starbucks should be avoided due to sugar and flour content
- Starbucks drinks with any type of flavored syrup should be avoided

In general, foods touted as low fat can often be unhealthy. But milk-based drinks can contain healthy fat. So go ahead and order that latte or capaccino.....with whole milk.
But don't eat Starbucks baked goods or yogurt.

And plain espresso or brewed coffee drinks have almost no calories (but little nutritional value.)

[Ben]

Well, I'm not sure it will drive people to smaller stores at all. If every store in NYC has to display calories and such, then these smaller stores are in the same boat. The ones that have fresh baked goods are going to be just as calorie rich as Starbucks. Take Amy's Bread, for example. They aren't using low-fat ingredients most of the time, it's all very rich and buttery. So, I think Starbucks will be just fine with the signs.

[MusicGal]

Don't think it will be a big deal. I mean, as people have already said, most of the calorie-counting customers are already aware of the nutrition facts (not just the calorie numbers, either).

[Lou Sussler]

It absolutely stopped me from having a pastry twice this week.

Even though the calorie information is readily available, I never bothered to check and even though I kinda knew they were high in calories I was somewhat shocked when I saw the actual numbers.

Also, now that I know them, even if they remove the calorie postings I still won't buy the stuff.

Thank you Starbucks. I mean that sincerely.

The implementation of the law was tabled so right now, Starbucks is the only one who has posted the information in a prominent position. I hope all retail places will start doing so. It's against their interest which is why they're fighting it but, I think, certainly in the public interest.

Well, I'd bet that fat and/ or morbidly obese people will still eat up the entire tray of toffee almond bars, calories being listed or not...

Fat people can't help themselves and NEED to eat. They can't control themselves.

Those customers are Starbucks' main customers, for life, or until they have a coronary due to the massive clogs in their arteries from their hourly venti mocha frappuccino with extra whip and 1/4-inch caramel drizzle.

[bee]

Not every store in NYC has to do ti, only chains that have something like 12 or more, some silly rule like that. So no, random bakerys don't have to at this time.

[DuelingDuettos]

People whining, as usual..Here's an idea, use moderation in regards to anything in the store..If only common sense was that, common. You shouldn't need a giant table to know that if you drink a billion Mochas, that you're going to end up fat, especially if you don't work out.

[CoffeeChick]

I find that labeling calorie context is disrepectful. It only feeds the food obsession country

[Bob]

"USAians"

Oh, give me a break. We're called Americans, pal. We've always been called that, by ourselves and by others, so get over yourself.

Well, I'd bet that fat and/ or morbidly obese people will still eat up the entire tray of toffee almond bars, calories being listed or not...

Fat people can't help themselves and NEED to eat. They can't control themselves.

Uh Hello?!? WTF are you talking about...

[they took our jobs]

The use of Americans leads to many questions. Be they North Americans, South Americans, Native Americans, or White settlers who massacred the natives, who truly deserves the title Americans? I bet you think you do. I think Canadians do too. In fact, I think it much more patriotic to emphasize our unity and therefore like to say the United States or US (the A is understood). If you don't like to say the word united you must be unpatriotic and a pinko whom is against our troops. commie Bob

They took our jobs... please learn how to use whom... it makes you look like a jackass when you use it incorrectly ;)

The use of Americans leads to many questions. Be they North Americans, South Americans, Native Americans, or White settlers who massacred the natives, who truly deserves the title Americans? I bet you think you do. I think Canadians do too. In fact, I think it much more patriotic to emphasize our unity and therefore like to say the United States or US (the A is understood). If you don't like to say the word united you must be unpatriotic and a pinko whom is against our troops. commie Bob

Posted by: they took our jobs | Apr 21, 2008 3:36:36 PM

Really?! No wonder the world looks down on the US and thinks of it in terms of being arrogant, self-centered and downright stupid. Please do yourself a favor and go VISIT Canada, or even Europe and take a chill out. It'll do you good.

You'll realize that while being a unified country can be a good thing, putting down other countries is just dumb. America (sorry, couldn't help myself) needs to learn to participate in the world and not try to lead it.

PS: Who said you defined what patriotism was? Your loose definition (not saying "united" when referring to the States) just makes you (and, unfortunately America) sound even more stupid than it did before. Thanks for that.

[Jasper LaMaster]

Does the surgeon general's warning prevent many people from smoking? We entitle ourselves to a few (dozen) guilty pleasures frequently, because by golly "we deserve it".

[New Balance]

Promises may get thee friends, but nonperformance will turn then into enemies.Do you understand?

[New Balance]

Promises may get thee friends, but nonperformance will turn then into enemies.Do you understand?