Calorie counts have popped on menus in New York, and they could be coming to a restaurant near you too. Per my earlier post on the topic, we know The View co-host Joy Behar doesn't like looking at calorie totals when she's ordering. She's pretty sure she knows what she's getting when she picks her meals. She doesn't need anything in writing or in her face. You -- all you readers out there -- now, you seem to be of a different mindset. Look at what 106 of you shared when polled on your thoughts about the whole calorie count thing.

• 89.6% of you like calorie counts.
• 2.8% of you don't like them.
• 7.5% of you don't really care.
  
  

The majority of you like calorie counts on menus. I think I do too. Like Joy, I do generally know what I'm getting when I order but like most Americans, I'm sure I underestimate when it comes to numbering the calories in my favorite foods. And since underestimating tends to lead to overeating, I think it's wise to have a little reminder system in place, because if that seemingly healthy salad, for example, comes with a whopper amount of calories, well, then, I'm ordering something else.

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Last spring, NYC restaurants were required to post calorie counts for all foods. Each meal, each brownie, each special coffee drink... labeled with that little (or not-so-little) number. Now, months after the change was made, Self Magazine checked in with New Yorkers to see the results.

The magazine surveyed 100 New York women and found:

• 79% like that calories are clearly posted
• 55% order less now that they know what's in their meal.
• 13% have stopped going to certain eateries altogether.

Many of the women quoted in the article state that the calorie information has changed their habits. Either they're limiting the number of times they indulge in their favorite treats or they're opting for lower-calorie items instead.

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Would you steer away from that juicy restaurant burger if next to its menu description came a whopper listing of its calories? New Yorkers are facing this very question now that the city's chain restaurants are legally required to post calorie counts on their menus.

Officials are hoping that publishing calorie facts will inspire healthier dining and minimize out-of-control obesity. It might. Kind of like journaling your every bite might prevent you from over-eating, staring at the number 2,900 while you drool over the Outback's Aussie Cheese Fries just might cause you to pull in the reigns. Gazing at a Starbucks pastry case may become a whole new experience too. Apparently, people were recently seen backing away from the glass at one location as they read labels.

"Oh man, I never would have guessed it was that much," said one woman about the cookie calorie counts. "It definitely discourages me from buying."

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I'm not starting a food diary because I have a big weight loss goal. But I do have an issue with my mid-section -- it's just a little too loose for my liking -- and since months and months of healthy eating and vigorous exercise have not produced many results in this area, I've decided to write down what I put in my mouth so I can determine if my healthy eating is not so healthy after all.

Yesterday was day #1 of my food journaling and already I know I have some bad habits. How do I know? Because there are certain items I don't want to write on my list. I must not want to see them in writing because I know they aren't conducive to my overall goal of shedding the tummy flab. All day, I steered clear of the tub of cashews in my pantry and the graham cracker sticks my kids eat. While not the most dreadful of diet pitfalls, these snacks, when eaten regularly or in excess amounts, can surely sabotage my stomach. So for now, they are off my list.

I highly recommend a food journal if you want to know the error of your ways. All you need to do is write down everything you eat and drink. Here are a few ground rules.

• Take your food diary with you wherever you go so nothing is forgotten and left off the list. If you don't wish to keep a bulky notebook with you, hang onto a small notepad so you can jot down what you consume. Transfer it to your official journal later.
  
  
  
• Write immediately after you eat. Document what and how much you eat right after you commit the act. Include condiments, dressings, butter, everything that enters your mouth -- even that mini candy bar, the last quarter of your toddler's grilled cheese, that half a soda you're sure doesn't add up to much.
  
  

• Keep it specific. Record the type of food and the portion size. Avoid vague descriptions. If you ate 10 crackers, write just that. Don't write "handful of crackers."
  
  

• Don't forget calories. Look up the calorie value of your foods and drinks and be sure to adjust for portion size. Add your calories as you go so you see your running total and know what wiggle room you have for the remainder of a day. To determine your ideal daily calorie total, check out this formula.
  
  

While food journaling may seen taxing at first, it will get easier. You'll be surprised at how quickly you learn the calorie counts of your usual foods. And you'll love it when you start seeing results. You will see results, by the way. Studies show that people who use food diaries tend to lose more weight and keep it off longer than those who don't.

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