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[shawnawrites]

I had a surgery recently ...well about 3 weeks ago... and today was my first time venturing out to spend time with a friend ...and I wanted to get on here and talk about what I encountered. I am wanting to contact the local news tomorrow because I am sooo offended and I think it's wrong for any business to refuse a customer their nutritional value of their meals.

I asked them for a nutritional value on their tomato basil soup...because I want to make sure I have no problems and it's not something bad for me. I wanted to have a lunch with my girlfriend for once after my surgery but, remain safe. The waitress brings me a card with my soup... it says "For nutritional information call here" So, I though... fine...how bad can tomato soup be? All they add is basil and I removed the croutons. So, as we are leaving... I tell my friend that she has to pull into the nearest restroom.. and I end up violently ill and I call my husband to call the number and my doctor so I can figure out what my body needs to counter act this soup. It's bad that I sat down with just them giving me a card...BUT... when it became a bigger issue I figured them telling me what was in in would help me narrow down my next step..especially as a diabetic. I make it home and my husband said he called the number but, they told him I am not allowed the information. So, I said...OH BULLCRAP... and he says to me "Well I guess you have to have a doctors fax" So, I told him... I have my medical emergency card that requests that they give me this information. So, I called back and they were rude. SOOOOOO I BECAME RUDE. I said... I have a right to know what I am eating...I have had a surgery that it is very important that I find out what medications I need to counteract what was in the soup. I want that information and if you can't give it to me I want someone who can. She said there was no one... I said...well how about the person who writes your paychecks and she told me legally she had NO obligation to tell me the nutritional information. She freaking argued then put me on hold for 10 minutes while her manager was supposedly ON THE PHONE and wold get to me next. So, the manager gets on and I said...can you give me your corporate number...because I already know you won't help me. Well... the only thing they will give me is a address. It says Applebees services NOT corporation. So, I then hung up and called the place I ate. The LOCAL applebees in Monroe across from Wal-Mart. I told them that card they handed me was bunk and I wanted to know what they fed me because (as a diabetic) I need to know what I need to do... what medicine I may need to take. HE tells me all he has ever been told was to give that card out. I said... well your card does not work. So, he tries the website (uhm...Einstein...I ALREADY did that before I went...and on the website it said to ask you...and you handed me the card...but, I didn't say this...I let him look) So, he comes back and says he has NO idea why but, his computer is not working right. Then he comes back and takes my name and number and says he's hopefully going to have me a call 15 minutes later so he can tell me (Oh, and before the convo ended...the he became the she manager) so...here I sit madder than a hornet at not only the treatment... but, the run around, and I should have a right to know what the nutritional VALUE is in a food...there are medical reasons people should know this! She said no... propriety rights tell them they don't have to tell me anything. I continued being very ill with no way of stopping it and finally passed out. I am better now but, still very ill. All of this they could have helped by just letting me know NOT the recipe but, is there sugar, how much protein, calorie, fat, etc so I can do the math or the doc and figure it out because my body has a specific science. So, tomorrow I am going to call the local news channels because to me this is bull crap... I believe we as consumers have a right to know! I wish Monroe News would investigate it...but, since it's a small town I don't know.

I have learned a lesson... don't eat if they hand you a card or can't tell you. I also tried to look up a soup at Red Lobster BUT, will not be going there because on their site I couldn't find their info either. Is this a growing problem? 

[Flanders]

Well without sounding totally insensitive.......  What exactly did you expect?!

First of all, yeah it's werid that they wouldnt give you nutritional information since many websites list restaurant dishes nutritional info., but if you get seriously ill just on an imbalance of calories, fat, protien..... why would you eat anything without having this information FIRST? So they dont give it to you, don't give them your business.

Also, what type of "medication" could your doctor give you that would counteract an OD of calories and fat.. Just wondering since i'm not diggin that whole gym thing.

[shawnawrites]

I guess you don't know anyone who has had a surgery  that may alter how their body reacts to certain things or diabetic...maybe you could research that because I feel that maybe...just maybe if I told you...it wouldn't matter anyhow because like you said ...you don't dig the gym thing..it's NOT about an OD. It's about what they put in it...sort of like a peanut allergy would be to someone who is allergic. When I ordered Tomato soup...I kind of figured it was safe and having a medical problem does not mean I shouldn't be able to visit restaurants and be *normal* with a friend...but, I did say I learned a lesson and I would NOT do this again I will leave... instead of picking something *safe*. Plus, it's FALSE pretense that they said they would be able to give me the nutritional information if I just CALL the number with the professional card handed to me that said "for nutritional information"

That being said... I figured I'd get this response...why put it on the business selling the food...instead beat up the patron... because YOU may not care about what you eat... you don't have to. (until your arteries clog up and you die) but, the whole fat thing isn't the issue it's the combo of certain ingredients and foods. SHEESH.

[florida-girl]

WOW! I'm glad you are doing okay!

Packaged food is required to give the nutritional info, right? Restaruants should be able to do the same. Like you said, you weren't looking for the recipe, just the nutritional value. I think any decent person would have given it to you if they had it available to them!

[jlb2455]

WOW! I'm glad you are doing okay!

Packaged food is required to give the nutritional info, right? Restaruants should be able to do the same. Like you said, you weren't looking for the recipe, just the nutritional value. I think any decent person would have given it to you if they had it available to them!



What restaurants offer info?

[Flanders]

So much whining.......
"Beating up the poor patrons"?? Did you actually say that???

Look, i'm glad you're doing better.  But take a little responsibility.  How can you accuse me of not caring what I eat?  I live by the "eat first ask later" rule.  I just gorge down whatever they throw in front of me, no questions asked.  It's the restaurants' duty to make sure i'm eating a well balanced diet.  It's their responsibility to check if i'm diabetic before serving food.  It's their responsibility to serve smaller portion sizes and ban tans fats becuase i'm just a thoughtless pile of goo incapable of managing my own welfare, but I do have rights!

BTW,  I have an uncle who is diabetic and a friend who has a peanut allergy.  I dont ever remember a time they ate something without making 110% sure they knew what was in there.  Also, i thought it was straight nutritional information.  But at the end of your response you said you needed to know the combination of certain ingredients and foods.  If you find out KFC's seasiong recipie... yeah let me know about that one

[bsb]

I'm thinking maybe there's a discrepancy between what you are asking for and what you really need to know. 

Maybe I missed something in your post but it sounds like you don't need the nutrition info, sounds like what you might need instead is the ingredients.  Have you tried calling and speaking with the kitchen manager at the local restaurant? Maybe if you calmly explain why you need to know they might be willing to try to help you.

[the nosh]

ok here we go...now everywhere you go eat there needs to be a recipe afixed on the plate of everything you eat! sounds pretty silly to me. stay home and fix your own food is the remedy to this problem.

[SwellBrunette]

Shawnawrites - I'm glad you're doing better.   I'm not a lawyer, and you're certainly entitled to hire one to see if you have a case, but it's my understanding that restaurants are not legally required to disclose nutritional information.  I'm not a chef, either, but I also understand that cooks and chefs typically add or subtract ingredients as the dish is prepared.  It's called adjusting the seasoning or seasoning to taste.  Even if they could provide nutritional information, it may not always be accurate if the chef adds a little extra salt to the dish while preparing.

If a dish is labeled as "zero fat" or claims to be "diabetic safe", I believe the restaurant is required to provide documentation to back that claim.  Otherwise - let the diner beware.     The FDA website should have the info you need - if you don't mind digging for it a while. 

[shawnawrites]

I agree a decent restaurant would not have had a problem to just let me know what the nutritional information is so, I could do what I need to do afterward. Lesson learned...I will not go anywhere that will not offer the info first. But, I also will not be going to applebees anymore. I think they are unprofessional and unethical in their practice and I believe a place that hides such issues...probably has a reason why. The big mac probably has nothing on the packaged crap they sell. When I heal and I am allowed chicken breasts..then yes... I will be picking those. I still have another month.

[Greg Chamberlain]

I had a hard time reading the original posting because it wasn't separated into paragraphs. From now would you please provide a recipe or guide of what you've written before I read it?

[jkbmh]

Just so you know most corporate restaurants have a book in the kitchen that will tell you all the ingredients listed in ANYTHING that they make. The Applebee's that you went to was obviously being very rude, call the corporate number and speak to someone in guest relations. I think that the number is   
1-888-59apple. Good luck.

[loser]

who the hell eats @ crapplebees anyway? 

[PXaiver]

who the hell eats @ crapplebees anyway? 

It's better than Ruby Tuesday's, though I am a bit upset they shrunk their dinner salad.  I guess it just balances out with them bringing ole Sam Adams back on tap....

Man oh man do I want to be an insensitive jerk right now....alas, I'll keep my comments to myself...

[Greg Chamberlain]

Your justification for Applebees not sucking is that it's better than Ruby Tuesdays?