LA Moves Towards A Healthier Lifestyle

After California became the first state in the US to ban trans fats, now comes the turn of LA to put a stop on unhealthy eating practices of people. On Tuesday, the city council voted in favour of putting a halt on the new fast food restaurants in the poor pockets of the city. The reason is bad quality of foods and increasing obesity.

But the representatives of fast food chains have lashed out at the council saying that they are being treated unfairly. Andrew Puzder, president and chief executive of CKE restaurants said, “It’s not where you eat. It’s what you eat.” He added, “We were willing to work with the city on that, but they obviously weren’t interested.”

Kelly D Brownell, director of Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, is of the view that cost is an important factor in poor communities. He said that cheap, unhealthy food and lack of access to healthy food is a recipe for obesity. Healthy food establishments are the need of the hour.

Fast-food restaurants are facing the heat. Some places, including Carmel-by-the-Sea and Calistoga have barred “formula” restaurants altogether. Arcata allows a maximum of nine fast-food eateries. Most of the other places have prohibited restaurants in certain areas.

Chains have also come under pressure to include healthier food choices in their menus. Mc Donald’s offers salads and low-fat dressings; Burger King stocks meals for children with milk and apple pieces. That’s why the restaurant industry says it’s not fair to blame them for obese people.

The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency is making all sorts of efforts to attract healthy food establishments to inner-city neighbourhoods. Councilwoman Jan Perry said, “People do have disposable income and they want to spend it on healthy items. You just got to offer an outlet.”