The fast pace of daily life can compel people to make choices based on too little data, even in the information age.

Such is the case when people dine out. Confronting an array of menu items and not much detail about content, they'll consume them in ignorance that may be blissful — until they step on the scale.

Few regulatory programs have been more helpful to those watching what they eat than the rule that commercial food items contain nutritional data. But people eating out generally are left to make their best guess at what's in the food they're eating: The University of Arkansas in 2006 conducted one of several related studies concluding that most people make very poor guesses.

For some years, Congress has been working to expand the amount of information available on prepared foods; nearly two decades ago, leaders succeeded at mandating nutritional information on processed foods sold in markets. More recently, there's been a renewed attempt to extend that mandate to include menu items at chain restaurants.

The Menu Education And Labeling Act, HR 2426, is now awaiting a hearing in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It would only affect restaurants with more than 20 locations, which would have to display the total calories, sodium, saturated and trans fats, and carbohydrates of each dish on the menu.

That would only affect about a fourth of the nation's restaurants. Some advocates argue that the mandate should be expanded; but for now it represents a reasonable pilot measure.

Ultimately, healthful eating results only when a consumer makes healthful food choices; diet remains a personal responsibility. But in a country where public health is so threatened by obesity, the government should inform choices by arming people with the data they need.