Long Beach Government Advances Healthy Eating
Do you think someone or something should do something about the obesity problem that's happening with our youth and adults? Do you wish someone took a stand and made sure healthy options were available for you to eat? Or do you think no one has the right to tell you what to eat?
Well, at Tuesdays Long Beach City Council meeting, 9th District Councilmember Steven Neal moved an agenda item to make sure all beverages and snacks on City property is held to high standards, or at least the same standards, similar to the "nationally recognized and accepted guidelines that you usually see in California school. This is good news to those who want to see the City of Long Beach be a leader in healthy living, but for some, it might be as 8th District Councilwoman Rae Gabelich put it, "too big brother."
Here is the exact language for Tuesdays agenda item:
Recommendation to respectfully request City Manager to work with the City Attorney to create a Long Beach healthy food policy that promotes good nutrition and healthy environments within City facilities and at City-sponsored meetings/events (special events excluded). This policy should include standards that hold to the following: > 100% of snacks and beverages sold in vending machines on City property where City programs operate shall meet specified nutrition standards. > 100% of beverages and snack foods served at meetings/events led or coordinated by City staff or programs shall meet specified nutrition standards. > Specified nutrition standards should be based on nationally recognized and accepted guidelines, similar to those used for foods and beverages sold in California schools (SB 12 and SB 965). > The standards should include limits on sugar, fat, sodium and calories for snack foods, as well as the elimination of sugar- sweetened beverages, and limits on artificially sweetened beverages.
Below is a video of the item being presented to the City Council. To pause the video, just click once on the video player screen. (play and pause button doesn't work)
The item passed, with an 8-1 vote. 4th District Councilmember Patrick O'Donnell stated, "Too much government." So what do you think City Lifers; is it too much government or is it about time our government does something about the lack of healthy choices in our city? Does it matter at all, or your fine the way things are you? Maybe people need to stop eating junk food and get a good work out in so the government doesn't have to step in? Let it be known below. If you would like to see the full video of the item, along with the public comments from people like Chef Paul Buchanan just click here and then click on item number "17" underneath the video.
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Comment by Ricardo Linarez on April 21, 2011 at 10:25am -
This is leading by setting the example. As a parent, I always present healthy options to my children. Now I will not have to drive to a store to buy juice or water when the local parks are providing healthier options for families. Thank you for setting the example for all to live a healthy life.
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Comment by The Man on April 21, 2011 at 10:16am -
***disclaimer - I work for Councilmember Steven Neal.
Now that's clear, I think this is a good move because like what you all expressed in your comments that it's about time this has happened. I remember even when I was in school, which wasn't that long ago, we were active and doing physical activity wasn't something that my parents were trying to drag out of me.
Also,there wasn't that much junk food available on school campus. Now there's all these soft drinks, soft drinks combined with energy drinks, coffee/energy drinks hybrid etc... If junk food isn't the first thing the next generation sees, it will probably be an out of sight, out of mind kind of thing.
@GDUB - WASSUP SON!
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Comment by Jesus Hernandez on April 21, 2011 at 9:51am -
What happened to parents wanting their kids to eat healthy? I don't disagree with the changes at all, I just think its sad when the government has to step in and help people loose weight cus they're to lazy to take action themselves
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Comment by Holly Bingham on April 21, 2011 at 9:42am -
Word Gdub. The lack of physical activity frightens me. In addition to the food that you consume. Food that there parents are providing and encouraging. No, It is no coincidence. And the cancer rates in our country are not a coincidence either.
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Comment by GDub on April 21, 2011 at 9:39am -
Not only watching what the kids eat, and teaching them healthy habits, but also enforcing more physical activity. When I went to school (we had to walk five miles, uphill, both ways...joking) we had mandatory phys ed, five days a week, from elementary school until at least tenth grade. And by mandatory it meant that we had to run laps, do push ups, sit ups, participate in basketball, volleyball, baseball, etc. We weren't allowed to go to gym class and sit on the sidelines talking to friends or texting or any of that crap.
And then after school we were out riding our bikes, or playing kickball in the park, or swimming - not sitting inside with an XBox or PS or online playing games. I know, I am probably dating myself, but at the same time we weren't a bunch of fat ass kids like you see nowdays. Coincidence? I don't think so!
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Comment by Holly Bingham on April 21, 2011 at 9:36am
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I think this is fabulous! Healthy eating is oftentimes a factor of availability. If the only thing available is junk, an individual is likely to start consuming it.. I do not believe that it is too much government. I would even guess that the opposition is merely concerned that their usual unhealthy snacks will become difficult to locate. The unhealthy patterns that seem to typify American culture must be modified and this is a way to do it :)
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