With more Americans eating out and growing increasingly obese, several city and state governments are

trying to help people eat healthier by forcing fast-food restaurants to divulge nutritional information on

their menus. The idea is simple: putting calorie and fat counts on display should prompt consumers to opt

for healthier, lighter fare.

But it turns out that eating habits die hard, according to a new study involving the Taco Time fast-food

chain in Washington State. Researchers found that adding calorie counts to restaurant menus had no

impact on diners' choices. Similar studies in New York City have recently reported conflicting results;

some surveys showed that menu labeling led to fewer calories purchased, but others found no difference

in meal selection.

Researchers are not discouraged by the results, however, noting that providing nutritional and calorie

information on menus may still benefit consumers indirectly. As more local authorities mandate such

changes, food vendors are pre-emptively modifying their menus to both lighten existing options and add

healthier foods.