Updated

"1 year ban on new fast food restaurants in Southern L.A."

If passed, it would affect about half a million people living in an area that supporters say already has about 400 fast-food eateries and few grocery stores.

QUICK STATS:

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Within the Southern LA area there are 400 fast food establishments and little grocery stores

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30% of children in Southern LA are obese but ONLY 21% in the rest of LA

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Diabetes in these areas in on the rise, with 11.1% of kids in Sothern LA suffering from diabetes, but ONLY 8.1% on the rest of the country

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Many fast food restaurants lack fiber in their menu options, making people who consume meals feel hungry shortly after and put them at risk for CVD and DM.

WAYS TO SAVE AT THE GROCERY STORE:

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Buy seasonally--options tend to be cheaper and just as nutritious

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Prepackaged chips and snack foods can be as much as 4 times as much per oz than buying the bag. Make your own portions-Portion off in zip lock bags

1 oz of Bag of Goldfish vs. 1 oz of prepackaged goldfish costs 4 TIMES as much

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Powdered milk is a great option, it's cheaper and keeps longer

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Cut back on Meats and cut back on both cost and calories. Be a vegetarian 2 nights a week incorporating other protein sources such as cheese, eggs, beans, peanut butter etc. This leads to less expensive menu options.

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Oatmeal and other dry cereals tend to be more cost efficient options than cold cereals which can be much higher in both price and calories

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Bagged apples/oranges provide you with fruit throughout the week, without the excess cost

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Frozen Fruits and Vegetables are just as nutritious and cheaper! You can store them too!

MEAL IDEAS: FASTFOOD VS. HOMEMADE - SAVE ALL-AROUND!

Here are some healthy alternatives that are not only cheaper and less calories but also pack a fiber punch!

Breakfast

Fast Food Option: Sausage McMuffin with Eggwith Hash Brown, Large Coffee w/ cream and sugar and a small OJ-

Nutrition Information: 650 calories and 30 g of fat

Price $7.50 ((NY PRICE w/tax))

Versus

Homemade Breakfast Sandwhich

Ingredients

Thomas' Light Multigrain English Muffin-$0.65

1 Egg-2.79/12-$0.21

1 slice Kraft Free American Cheese-$0.33

Canadian Bacon-$0.35

1 Orange-$0.50

Brewed Coffee-$0.25

Total Cost: $2.00

Total Nutrient Value: 248 calories, 8 grams of fiber, 7 grams of fat

SAVINGS:$5.50, 400 calories, 23 g of fat and 8 MORE g of fiber

Lunch/Dinner

Fast Food Option: Quarter Pounder w/ Cheese Meal (includes med. Fries, and med. Coke)-

Nutrition Information-1100 calories, 45 g of fat

Price $7.50 ((NY PRICE w/tax))

Versus

Homemade Cheeseburger

3 oz lean sirloin-$1.24

1 Whole wheat bun-$0.41

1 slice Kraft Free American Cheese-$0.33

1 Potato-$0.60

1 can of Diet Coke-$1.19

Cost: $3.77

Total Nutrient Value: 275 calories, 9 g of fat, 3 g of fiber

SAVINGS:$4.00, 825 calories, 36 g of fat PLUS 3 g of fiber

FAMILY MEAL

KID: Kid's Meal: Hamburger, small fries, small coke- w/toy

Nutrition Information: 590 calories, 20g of fat

Price: about $4.00 ((NY PRICE w/tax))

MOM:

Premium Bacon Ranch Salad with Crispy Chicken

Ranch dressing and a large diet coke - Nutrition Information:

Price about $9.00 ((NY PRICE w/tax))

DAD: Big Mac, Large Fries w/ ketchup, Large Coke

Nutrition Information: 1390 calories, 54 g fat

Price about $8.00 ((NY PRICE w/tax))

FAMILY NIGHT OUT at McDonald's totals $21

Versus

Chicken with Rice and Beans, Family Dinner Night

1 lb Chicken Cutlets-$4.99

2 cups brown rice, dry (4 cups cooked)-$1.35

3 cans of kidney beans-$3.57 (1.19x3)

2 cup cooked Broccoli-$1.99/bunch

Cost per Family-$12.00

Nutrient Information-370 calories, 7 g of fat, 9 g of fiber

Desert

Strawberries and Cream

1 cup Strawberries-3.49/package

Kool Whipe Lite, 2.49/tub

Cost per Family-$4.50

TOTAL

COST PLUS DESERT

IS $16.50

Nutrient Information: 60 calories, 1.5 g fat, 3 grams of fiber

TOTAL DINNER CALORIES: 430 calories, 8 g of fat, 12 g of fiber

SAVINGS:$3.50, 960 calories, 46 g of fat and PLUS 12 g fiber

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD

is a nutritionist and the creator of The F-Factor DietaC/, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being. For more information log onto