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Montgomery County (web | news) , Md. - If you're craving a burger and fries, would seeing the calorie content make you order a salad instead?

Some Montgomery County Councilmembers hope so. In an effort to fight obesity, the council is expected to vote next week on a proposal that would require chain restaurants to post calorie content.

If the measure passes, any restaurant with more than 20 locations nationally would be required to follow the law. That includes standard fast food restaurants and other casual chains like Chili's, Outback Steakhouse and T.G.I. Fridays.

The proposal follows the logic that knowledge is power and nutritional information might give customers the power to make healthy decisions.

Walking up or driving through, lunchtime brings big business to fast food chains.

"I think most people would be appalled at how many calories are in many of the foods they serve at fast food restaurants," said Marilyn Giles, a fast food patron.

Many chain restaurants offer nutritional information online but now Montgomery County wants consumers to have the calorie content available while they're waiting to order.

"The number-one killer of my constituents is heart disease," said Montgomery County Councilman George Leventhal. "And I think it's a valid question to ask, 'What is the government doing to promote public health and reduce the incidence of heart disease?'"

Leventhal believes arming customers with information will help them make healthy choices. A customer at Chipotle agrees.

"I know just the tortilla shell alone is like 330 calories," said NewsChannel 8 reporter Tiffany Wilson. "If you saw that up on the menu, would that make you second guess ordering that burrito?"

"[It] probably would -- probably would," said Luke Schuster, a fast food patron. "I might go for a burrito bol or a salad."

But other diners didn't want to be bothered. "I for one wouldn't look at the calorie count," said Mary Byrne, a fast food patron.

New York City already requires restaurants to label calories on their menus. A recent study shows customers who used the information purchased about 100 fewer calories than those who did not.

The amount surprised some but others think it's worth the effort. "I know that there's a big problem with obesity in America and I think that would help out a lot," said Schuster.

The Restaurant Association of Maryland opposes the bill, calling it a nightmare to adjust menus for each jurisdiction. But a federal requirement for some menu labeling was part of a health reform bill passed by the House of Representatives over the weekend.

Leventhal says if the proposal passes and he expects it will, Montgomery County would conform to the federal standard.

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