How many calories will you find in your favorite Utah restaurant dish?

Trying to get your diet back on track after a day filled with feasting?

You may want to avoid that Caesar salad at your favorite restaurant.

Hidden among that deceptively healthy-looking lettuce can be as many as 1,200 calories.

You'd be better off, calorie-wise, getting the hamburger combo meal.

To help consumers make better food decisions, the Food and Drug Administration announced new guidelines this week requiring any establishment with 20 or more locations that sells prepared food to post calorie counts on their menus. Businesses have until next November to comply.

"It's a great idea," said Kary Woodruff, sports dietitian at TOSH — The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital. "It's not saying people can't eat certain foods, but it is helping them make an educated choice. It's not intended to be prohibitive, but it will be helpful."

Woodruff realizes not everyone will consider those calorie counts, but she hopes it will be helpful to people who are watching their weight, cholesterol or heart health.

"This won't impact everyone," Woodruff said, "but there are those on the fence who it will have a positive impact for."

New York City was first in the country to put a calorie-posting law in place. Other cities and states have followed. McDonald's and other restaurant chains already have calorie labels on menus and menu boards. The labels are popular with many, but it's too soon to know whether they'll affect obesity rates.

A recent U.S. Agriculture Department study found the diets of people who use nutritional information are markedly better than those who don't, and healthy eaters had more interest in the labels. The USDA paper concluded that it "may be too optimistic" to expect that those who don't use nutrition information will adopt healthier diets if exposed to it.

Carol Brown, vice president of marketing at Utah-based Arctic Circle Restaurants Inc., says Arctic Circles will post calorie counts, but she doesn't anticipate much change in consumer behavior.

"We will be glad to comply. It'll be a struggle, but we'll do it," Brown said. "I don't think it will change people's habits. People come to fast food for what they want. They'll buy it no matter what the calorie count is."

The same may prove true for movie theaters, which also will be required to post calorie tallies.

Utah's Megaplex Theatres, which are owned by the Larry H. Miller Group, plan to post their counts even though they currently have only 17 locations.

"Guests make all manner of decisions when they come to the movies," said Jeff Whipple, vice president of marketing for Megaplex Theatres. "For those who see it as a treat or night out, they make one set of choices. For others who are watching their calories, they may make another set of choices."

Whipple points to the varied menu at many of the multiplexes — yes, there are heaps of buttery popcorn, but the concession stands also sell salads, wraps, sandwiches, yogurts and fresh fruits and veggies.

"We have quite a varied menu," Whipple said, "compared to many movie theaters."

Choice is something Cafe Rio hopes will allow consumers to pick the meals that are right for them. The Utah-based chain has posted calories on its menu in a test market for the past year.

"Customers appreciate the additional nutritional information the menus provide," said spokeswoman Jennifer Burns. "The great thing about Cafe Rio and the food we prepare is each of our customers have full customization of their meal, making it the way they want."

Once the new counts are posted at eateries nearly everywhere, hidden calories won't lurk around as many corners.

Maybe that will mean you'll go for that chicken wrap over the Caesar salad.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

smcfarland@sltrib.com

Twitter: @sheena5427