When I see people indulging themselves in food containing heaping doses of fat, calories and sugar, I think to myself, “Do these people know what they are eating?” Do they know that with every bite of that tasty treat they are one step closer to obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other unsavory health problems? If they knew the extent of their gluttony, would they be making the same choices?

In order to make better choices, these people, and the public in general, desperately need to be better informed. Ignorance is a key cause of unhealthy eating in America.

School cafeterias in Montgomery County have recently posted nutritional information in order to adhere to a new law in Maryland. This new law not only applies to school cafeterias, but also to various chain restaurants and fast food establishments, such as Starbucks, Chick-fil-a and Chipotle.

This legislation is definitely a step towards a healthier generation because it forces Maryland residents, especially students, to think about what they are putting into their bodies, to pay attention to how their bodies are reacting to such abuse and to make educated decisions about what they are consuming.

Two thirds of Americans are now either overweight or obese. The state of being overweight is defined by a body-mass index (BMI) of 25-30, and the state of obesity is defined by a BMI of 30 or higher.

What people eat can affect their moods, performances in school and athletic endeavors. If those who frequent the cafeteria are more aware of what they are eating, they can utilize lunch time as a productive part of the day.

The posting of calories in the cafeteria is a good way to keep the student population informed about what they are eating; however, the calorie information for the food is not the only information one needs to know in order to make a smart decision about what to eat. Other nutritional information about each item on the menu is necessary so one does not go on believing that eating 300 calories of fruit is at all similar to eating 300 calories of french fries. Other components, like fat, carbohydrates and sodium, must be taken into account in order for people to get the most beneficial meal possible.

Now that the calorie counts of cafeteria food are being displayed, students are able to make informed decisions on what they eat. Hopefully, the state of Maryland will continue to pass legislation that benefits this generation.