Americans spend on average more than 50% of their monthly food budget outside of the house, often opting for fast food.

Medical experts say this leads to the nation's high obesity rates. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of US adults are obese.

2010's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will require restaurants with 20 or more locations to post calorie counts as early as next year.

Health experts say the added information could bring down those rates.

"The more information that a consumer has to make an educated decision, it's going to be the best," says Julie Hartley, a Willis-Knighton dietitian.