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    Tired but elated, I just got back from a trip to NYC last night. I've been there several times and can't say enough great things about that city.

    We saw a couple of Broadway shows, went to a Yankees game (had awesome seats at the new stadium) and did a lot of walking, shopping, drinking and of course... eating.
 

  But wait just a minute.

  Hold the presses.

  Start spreading the news....

  What was "new" for me this time around in New York? The city has done what West Virginia could not. Calorie counts now have to be posted on menus.

   You'll remember that state lawmakers tried this last session and couldn't make it happen. There were so many arguments "for" and "against".  I never felt too strongly about it either way until I saw it in action.

   In New York, the calorie counts for food and drinks are posted everywhere. Restaurants and bars, even Yankees stadium. I've never been clueless about how fattening certain foods are but this REALLY opened my eyes. Even though I know that french fries are the thighs worst enemy, it was hard to order some at the ballpark when the menu listed their calorie count at 1360!

   I quickly passed on the fries and opted for the lowest fat-laden item on the menu. A Nathan's hot dog weighed-in at 360 calories. It was good and in the grand scope of things, relatively guilt-free.

   I just couldn't enjoy those french fries knowing that they were basically an entire day's caloric intake in one small serving.  At dinner in Manhattan, I couldn't order a meal that was almost 2,400 calories when there were dinners listed at 720.

  This, my friends, is some real food for thought. I know that many will see those calorie counts and continue to order whatever they want and that's ok. However, I also know that it will help others decide to make a healthier choice. 

  The point is to put the information out there and give people the option. Now we'll just have to wait until next year and see if state lawmakers agree.

Jessica