L. A. Bans Fast Food in poorer areas to get those there to lose weight

[IDrinkaRum]

Will this actually help people to lose weight?

I don't know ... I'm kinda torn on this one. On one hand, yeah fast food restaurants do serve "unhealthy food" but they do offer alternatives (ex.: grilled chicken, salads, etc.). However, when I used to go to MickeyD's or any other place, it'd be for the burgers and fries and all the unhealthy stuff 'cos that's what tasted good to me.

[Greenday]

To be honest, their salads really aren't that good for you either at McD's...

[blas87]

If it's just to detour "poor people" (and I'm assuming they mean people using government aid like welfare and foodstamps), I'd say it'd be better to ban fast food, cigarettes, alcohol and vehicle services that do stylish rims and modifications and systems to get them to spend their money more wisely and more fair to the taxpayers whose money that's coming from, than to ban it just to make them lose weight.

[Giggle Goose]

Will this actually help people to lose weight?
However, when I used to go to MickeyD's or any other place, it'd be for the burgers and fries and all the unhealthy stuff 'cos that's what tasted good to me.

That's exactly how I feel, IDAR. If I'm craving a Big Mac, I go to Mickey D's. Who the hell ever said: "Hmm, I really wanna go to McDonald's for a salad today!!!" Sometimes I'd eat them on a road trip if I was desperate and I needed some kind of greens, even if it was just like eating air with added sodium.

I've noticed that lots of "poorer" areas around here tend to have lots of fast food places; and I think it's because food is the only "luxury" those people can afford. And as a college student; I've been in that situation, so don't think I'm being a snob here. A better place to start would be in public school cafeterias, which is another heated debate. I think if kids learn about healthy eating when they're younger, they'll carry it into adulthood and pass it on.

[MystyGlyttyr]

All this is going to do is make people use up their gas or bus money to go further away and get their fast food.

Trust me, people who want it WILL get it, regardless of how far away you put it. There's enough "poor" parents who work hard all day and are so tired in the evening that they'll do just about anything to avoid having to stand on their feet and cook.

(I love McDonalds salads, btw, but I have no illusions that they're healthy, heh. I think it's the bacon bits...)

[tropicsgoddess]

That's exactly how I feel, IDAR. If I'm craving a Big Mac, I go to Mickey D's. Who the hell ever said: "Hmm, I really wanna go to McDonald's for a salad today!!!" Sometimes I'd eat them on a road trip if I was desperate and I needed some kind of greens, even if it was just like eating air with added sodium.

I've noticed that lots of "poorer" areas around here tend to have lots of fast food places; and I think it's because food is the only "luxury" those people can afford. And as a college student; I've been in that situation, so don't think I'm being a snob here.

The sad and unfortunate thing is that the unhealthier foods (regardless if they come from a fast food place or store) tend to be cheaper than the healthier foods. Banning fast food restaurants isn't going to do any good when somebody can go outside of the area they're banned in to get their hands on some grease laden food.

[AFPheonix]

All this is going to do is make people use up their gas or bus money to go further away and get their fast food.

Trust me, people who want it WILL get it, regardless of how far away you put it. There's enough "poor" parents who work hard all day and are so tired in the evening that they'll do just about anything to avoid having to stand on their feet and cook.

I dunno, throw some rice in the rice cooker, spritz a few chicken breasts with olive oil, a little salt and pepper, stick on a baking tray and throw in the oven with a meat thermometer and go sit down.

That's how I cook anyways. I will stand for the 5 minutes or so it takes to steam some pea pods or broccoli however.
People just need to learn how to cook again. I do think that LA would be better off subsidizing actual grocery stores that want to move into those areas, that carry actual produce and other goods that are better for you.

[daleduke17]

This is what I see will happen more and more across the nation if the government loses their minds and starts providing universal health care. Slippery slope and all that.

[Boozy]

The problem here is that, in their desire to help people, the L.A. city council has made the mistake of confirming the fears of social conservatives. Namely, they've taken an elite, holier-than-thou attitude when it comes to dealing with the poor and all the problems they encounter.

As a liberal, I hate it when I hear about this kind of thing, because it goes against everything I believe in. Their hearts may have been in the right place, but they've gone about this all wrong. Our goal should be educating and empowering people to make the right nutritional decisions. Treating the poor as children incapable of even feeding themselves is insulting.

More importantly, there is the class issue. If fast food restaurants are available to the rich, they should be available to the poor. Period. The government has no right to treat the poor any differently than the rich.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

This is beyond arrogant.

If they are concerned that the poor are eating crappy food, how come we don't hear about them opening up reasonably priced health food stores? I dont' see them making good quality food available and affordable, or opening affordable gyms and fitness centers. I just see them giving Burger King a hard time. Are they still selling booze and cigs in those districts?

And who are they to decide that anyone "needs to go on a diet"? How's that for pompous arrogance?

[powerboy]

I think that it will work for a little bit, then everyone else will bitch about it. What they need to do, is have the healthier foods priced lower than the unhealthier ones. And see how that works out.

[BlaqueKatt]

There's enough "poor" parents who work hard all day and are so tired in the evening that they'll do just about anything to avoid having to stand on their feet and cook.

True, we actually have "stores" up here(5 in my town) called "my menu"-they sell frozen pre-made meals at close to the price of regular groceries-both single serving and family size, they're making a killing, and much as I hate to say it, it's a needed service. Too many people just don't have the time or the energy to cook, and I know several adults that do not know how to cook even mac and cheese.

[ThePhoneGoddess]

Okay, the article says that they are banning any new ff places from opening in the area for one year specifically so they can encourage restaurants which serve healthier food into the area. Nearly 3/4 of the restaurants in the area are ff, and at the community meetings people stated many of them had no cars and no way to get to any other restaurants.

They are not completely banning ff, they are simply not allowing them to open anymore places in the area for one year. The ones already there are allowed to continue doing business. You all seem to think they are not allowing any fast food to be served in the area at all.

Now, as to whether they will actually take that year and put their money where their mouth is and encourage cheap, healthier food waits to be seen.