Newswise — Starbucks announced it is voluntarily posting calorie counts on its menu boards and one Loyola dietitian is raising her coffee cup in salute.
“So often in Loyola’s medical weight loss clinic, I witness patients’ reactions of disbelief and shock as we review together online the high caloric content of a food item they chose at a restaurant that they thought was healthy,” says Ashley Barrient, MEd, LPC, RD, LDN, who is a clinical dietitian, bariatric specialist, Loyola University Medical Center. “Starbucks and McDonald’s are saving consumers the research time and building a trusting, open relationship with consumers. These efforts make customers happy, and happy customers keep coming back!”
A Starbucks grande 16-ounce caramel macchiato with 2 percent milk has 240 calories. Barrient states that each person has individual caloric needs for weight loss, and the nutrition information provided by a food establishment is the first essential step in deciding if this drink could fit into someone’s breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up. “This coffee drink could be someone’s entire breakfast allotment of calories and it’s important to consider that although a good source of dairy, there’s no fiber, scant protein and few nutrients compared to other food choices,” she says. Others may be able to fit this drink into their day while still maintaining a balanced diet and healthy weight. Barrient is part of a Loyola multi-disciplinary team of psychologists, dietitians, physicians, surgeons and exercise physiologists that partner one-on-one with patients battling obesity.
“So often food establishments market or disguise an item as healthy and then, through taking the time to do the research, an individual will discover that the once-thought healthy food is actually much higher in calories from fat or sugar than numerous other options available on the menu,” she said. “Starbuck’s and McDonald’s proactive efforts to educate consumers and openly communicate nutrition content of menu food items is a strength that sets these corporations apart from the rest.”
Barrient recommends patients journal what they eat and tally calorie counts to be more aware of overall caloric consumption, and also recommends free online tools such as MyFitnessPal.com that help track calories.
“Through openly providing nutrition information on the actual food items or visibly within their establishments, Starbucks’ and McDonald’s’ are building trust with their consumers and assisting those health conscious customers in making more mindful food choices,” said Barrient.
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