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    Could you live without fast food?

    By | Shine Food – Wed, Jan 14, 2009 5:23 PM EST

    I'll be honest, except for a few fries I've stolen from my husband's late-night McDonald's stops, I haven't eaten fast food from a chain restaurant in more than 10 years. Really.

    I'm probably in the minority on that one, since millions of people regularly eat fast food. But that number could be on the decline if cities like Los Angeles have their way. Last summer L.A. lawmakers banned fast-food chains from opening new outlets in South L.A. The goals? Reduce obesity and encourage new healthier food choices and food outlets.

    Is this bogus or not-what do you think? I, and the other editors at EatingWell, wondered whether people think a ban on new fast-food restaurants would be effective at accomplishing these goals, so we asked three experts and our readers to tell us: "Do you support banning new fast-food restaurants?"

    We received answers that ranged from an emphatic "Yes!" to don't-take-away-my-fries-or-I'll-slap-you "No!" and everything in between.

    Here's a sampling-check out all the responses on eatingwell.com for yourself and add your own opinion.

    NO
    "I wish people would stop trying to DICTATE what I can and cannot eat." -Sandy, Brockway, PA

    YES
    "I am in favor of a ban. Most of the healthier options at fast food chains don't last long. Until healthier options are presented and people buy them, there is no reason to continue to open more venues for people to make poor food, health, and lifestyle choices." -Julie, Tacoma, WA

    MAYBE
    Food for thought, for sure. But maybe what I really need to chew on are some healthy fast-food alternatives I can make at home, like ultra-quick dinners ready in 20 minutes or less and fruit desserts ready in under 15 minutes. Now that's fast food I can live with.


    By Michelle Edelbaum

    Michelle is the associate editor of interactive for EatingWell Media Group. In between editing and writing, she enjoys sampling the tasty results of the easy, healthy recipes that the EatingWell Test Kitchen cooks are working on.



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