Bill No. 070153 proposes that chain restaurants provide easy-to-access numbers on the total calories, fat and transfat, carbohydrates and sodium for all food and beverage items on their menus. The goal, presumably, is to help Philadelphians make more educated food choices.

Restaurant reps say that labeling menus would be impractical and costly. I think such a nutritional labeling bill would benefit all citizens. I think the bill should include five-star restaurants and mom-and-pop eateries; public school, college and workplace cafeterias; airport and train meals, too. But I suppose we need to start somewhere. And not a moment too soon.

Diet-related cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke plague our city, costing millions in health care and countless lives lost. According to the latest vital statistics published for the city (from 2000), the three leading causes of death here are heart disease, cancer and stroke. Together, they're responsible for 57.1 percent of total deaths.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know most experts agree that conditions like heart disease, diabetes type II, stroke and some cancers are lifestyle diseases - largely preventable through healthy eating habits and exercise.

The bottom line is, most people don't have a clue when it comes to proper portions and nutrition. As a matter of fact, a segment I saw on the "Today" show about a year ago demonstrated that even registered dietitians were as much as 40 percent off when asked to gauge the calories and nutrition in foods.

If the pros are having a tough time, what does that mean for the average Joe and Jane Q. Public?

It comes as no surprise to me that the restaurant industry is in a tizzy about this bill. For far too long, the industry has held the upper hand with powerful lobbyists fighting and influencing government policy. Meanwhile, clever marketers seduce and lull consumers with super-sized portions - so-called "value meals."

But who's fighting for the vulnerable and unsuspecting public? Without accurate nutritional information, it's nearly impossible for the average consumer to make an informed decision about what and how much to eat. Not to mention those suffering from chronic diseases who really need to know what they're eating, because knowledge could mean the difference between life and death.

For example, if you knew that a bowl of the guiltless-sounding Tomato Basil Aurora Soup at the chain restaurant Cosi had more calories, almost double the fat and about 50 percent more sodium than a McDonald's Big Mac, would you eat it?

Wouldn't you think twice about ordering Chili's Awesome Blossom appetizer if you knew it had 2,710 calories, 203 grams of fat, and 194 grams of carbs? What about the "healthy-sounding" Carolina Chicken Salad at Ruby Tuesday's that will set you back a whopping 1,020 calories - and that's without the dressing.

Current government guidelines recommend that the average American consume about 2,000 calories a day and exercise 30 to 90 minutes daily. But according to the 2004 FAO (Food & Agriculture Organization of the U.S.) Statistical Yearbook, Americans consumed an average daily intake of 3,700 calories, nearly double the recommendation. Since obesity continues to increase, that number probably has increased, too, since 2004.

Meanwhile, Americans are eating out more than ever, so restaurant food has even more impact on our health.

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown's bill was passed out of committee last week. There has been a public hearing (attended by about 10 reps for the restaurant industry), but the bill hasn't gone to the full council for a vote.

I encourage you to take action, Philly! Voters, send a message to City Council that you value your health by demanding menu labeling. *

Kimberly Garrison is a certified personal trainer and owner of One on One Ultimate Fitness in Philadelphia (www.1on1ultimatefitness.com).

E-mail her at kimberly@1on1ultimate

fitness.com. Her column appears each Thursday in Yo! Chat with her on her Daily News weblog, the Girlfriends' Locker Room, at www.girlfriendslockerroom.com. Her new podcast, "Philly Fitness and Health," is available for download every Thursday at www.philly.com.