How to Check Calories at Any Restaurant

Eating out doesn't have to mean eating blind. With the right tools, you can make informed choices at any restaurant — even ones without calorie counts on the menu.

The Problem with Restaurant Menus

Most restaurants don't list nutrition information on their menus. Even when they do, it's usually just calories — not the full picture of protein, carbs, fat, and sodium that actually matters for your health goals.

How Menu Scanning Works

MenuScore uses your iPhone camera to scan any physical or digital menu. It identifies the dishes and provides estimated nutrition breakdowns based on standard portion sizes and common preparation methods.

What You Get

For each menu item, you'll see:

• Health score — a simple 1-10 rating
• Estimated calories
• Macro breakdown — protein, carbs, and fat
• Key warnings — high sodium, added sugars, etc.

Tips for Eating Healthier at Restaurants

1. Scan before you order — don't decide under pressure
2. Compare similar dishes — a grilled chicken sandwich vs. fried can differ by 400+ calories
3. Watch the sides — the main dish might be healthy, but the sides can double the calories
4. Don't skip meals to "save up" — this leads to overeating at the restaurant