Long considered to be one of the world's healthiest cities, Loma Linda has a population of 23,000, half of whom are Seventh Day Adventists. Adventists are generally known to be vegetarians who don't smoke or drink, and various studies have shown that they also have lower rates of cancer and heart disease.
America's healthiest city, Loma Linda, California, which has never had a McDonald's restaurant, is nevertheless to have a McDonald's one day soon.
Good. There's nothing wrong with McDonald's. There is no such thing as an unhealthy food, just unhealthy eating habits.
Dave - Just a Man in the Mountains.
I am a Humanist. I believe in a rational philosophy of life, informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by a desire to do good for its own sake and not by an expectation of a reward or fear of punishment in an afterlife.
Ah, but once a fast food franchise is established in a city, people will patronise it in droves, as they do everywhere else. The temptation to stop in and indulge in a quick, cheap, fatty, salty meal is just too great.
And, whilst it is true that eating the occasional Big Mac or whatever else they serve isn't going to hurt anybody, that's not how it works with most people, who will indulge much more often. Fast food is certainly linked to the obesity epidemic in America.
At least 20% of Americans eat at fast food restaurants at least twice week. Food portions keep on getting bigger and bigger, and the calories with no nutritional value mount up. Of course, like smoking, eating fast food is an individual choice, so you can't completely blame places like McDonalds for the obesity epidemic.
But, still, the tobacco industry spends billions on clever advertising designed to persuade people to buy cigarettes, just as the fast food people spend their billions to draw in the crowds. And, as with cigarette ads, the fast food ads are very convincing.
In future, will Loma Linda still be able to proudly claim that their city is the healthiest in America? And, what fast food franchise will be next? If there's a McDonald's, why not a Burger King? KFC?
Ah, but once a fast food franchise is established in a city, people will patronise it in droves, as they do everywhere else. The temptation to stop in and indulge in a quick, cheap, fatty, salty meal is just too great.
And, whilst it is true that eating the occasional Big Mac or whatever else they serve isn't going to hurt anybody, that's not how it works with most people, who will indulge much more often. Fast food is certainly linked to the obesity epidemic in America.
At least 20% of Americans eat at fast food restaurants at least twice week. Food portions keep on getting bigger and bigger, and the calories with no nutritional value mount up. Of course, like smoking, eating fast food is an individual choice, so you can't completely blame places like McDonalds for the obesity epidemic.
But, still, the tobacco industry spends billions on clever advertising designed to persuade people to buy cigarettes, just as the fast food people spend their billions to draw in the crowds. And, as with cigarette ads, the fast food ads are very convincing.
In future, will Loma Linda still be able to proudly claim that their city is the healthiest in America? And, what fast food franchise will be next? If there's a McDonald's, why not a Burger King? KFC?
Why not worry about what ails New Zealanders and make your cursades there? You don't live here. Most of us eat little fast food. Where I live Chinese and Thai restaurants offer home delivery as do the pizzerias.
Our First Lady, Michelle Obama, is crusading for better school lunches, etc. for our school chldren. I've never had an overweight child or grandchild. In some ways childhood obesity is a class problem for various reasons. Sedentary kids, not invloved in sports, dance classes,yada yada are at a disadvantage.
OK - So I told myself I was never going to respond to Jane's nonsense posts anymore. But, calling a thread in which I point out the problems associated with junk food a 'crusade' is just too much.
A crusade is an energetic and concerted movement for a principle. Where is it written that trying to educate people about the dangers of empty calories constitutes a crusade?
To call it such is ridiculous.
Or, you are saying that you wish I would not post in these discussions anymore? And that would be because I'm not an American? And, because America is the greatest nation in the world and Americans superior to all the rest of us, only Americans get to have opinions about things?
Clearly McD’s sees a viable market in Loma Linda. So if McD’s market strategy is in error, they will be the ones who bear the loss. From the article: ”Rhodes Rigsby, the mayor and an Adventist vegetarian, said it was not up to the authorities to "keep people from harming themselves".” I think that warning applies equally to both sides-McD’s as well as the diners. Welcome to the free enterprise system.
And the McD’s menu does have some items that are non-meat and aren’t bad nutrition-wise either (although a bit high in sugar). I've heard that some McD's outlets offer niche food items unique to that particular market. Maybe this is in the works as well. In India, they have McVeggie burger and a Spicy Paneer wrap:www.mcdonaldsindia.com/menu.html
OK - So I told myself I was never going to respond to Jane's nonsense posts anymore. But, calling a thread in which I point out the problems associated with junk food a 'crusade' is just too much.
A crusade is an energetic and concerted movement for a principle. Where is it written that trying to educate people about the dangers of empty calories constitutes a crusade?
To call it such is ridiculous.
Or, you are saying that you wish I would not post in these discussions anymore? And that would be because I'm not an American? And, because America is the greatest nation in the world and Americans superior to all the rest of us, only Americans get to have opinions about things?
For pete's sakes, get a bloody life.
What woulld make you assume that you need to educate anyone on this board about what to eat or how to live? It is preposterous.
Your definition of "crusade" is so literal--no creative use of language there--but creativity is not a strong suit in your posts. So I'll just refer to your posts about how one should eat as a campaign, one that goes on and on.
I have one very fine life. This week-end I've been able to watch our national figure skating competitions. In late childhood and in my teen years figure skating was my sport : it entails such freedom of motion and movement to music. My fave athlete, Brian Boitano, was in the audience and presented Michelle Kwan at her introduction into the figure skating hall of fame. I've seen Brian and Michelle skate in person many times. Saw Brian do his Tano Lutz right in front of me--his blades were a foot above the barrier.
