Google Adds Nutrition Info To Search

Just as Google has expanded its search information for restaurants with their Zagat buy, the search engine company is beginning to incorporate nutrition information into search as well.

According to a post on Google's official blog, the company will begin phasing nutrition information into search within the next 10 days in the United States.

"From the basics of potatoes and carrots to more complex dishes like burritos and chow mein, you can simply ask, 'How much protein is in a banana?' or 'How many calories are in an avocado?' and get your answer right away," the post says.

Nutrition information will be available for more than 1,000 fruits, vegetables, meats, and meals, although information for burritos and chow mein would probably vary depending on the provider. Google hopes the new function will help people make smart choices about food via quick answers. Figure out how many calories are in a cup of popcorn (31) or how many carbs are in corn just by typing it in (or asking via Google Voice Search).

Other information will include serving sizes and related foods; so far our searches for the calorie count in ice cream have turned up blank, but perhaps they want to save us the moral dilemma of eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream this afternoon.