The South Central Diet

Happy Meal my...

I see it too..... but people think in places you don't have wealthy white people to support co-ops (I live on the north coast in CA) you won't get a lot of healthy food. There is quite a mix up here between the very bad foods available and the good and you see a lot of people on food stamps buying from the organic food stores (me in college:) and a lot of rich people driving through the Yellow Arches to feed their fat kids crap.

After I moved from the Humboldt area, back to central valley, I was surprised at how much less natural food seemed to matter. Like if you go to the South/West side of Sacramento, you see tons of oriental food groceries, but no co-ops, no organic food stores, nothing. It's weird.

I think this is a good commentary upon dietary choices in inner city areas that are unhealthy and limited for people who need to have healthy and nutritional food to eat.

Very informative and well done pod. The mainstream media doesn't show relevant topics that matter, specially about marginalized people. The poor is getting poorer and the rich is getting richer by exploiting the poor in various ways.

Great piece, its so sad but true that in lower income and high minority population areas, healthy choices just arent available and accessible. Also its sad that in order to eat healthy you have to spend more money, when I was broke and living out of my car all I could afford was unhealthy food and its took me a long time to get healthy again.

Its a shame that our society is so backwards, junk food should cost more than fresh fruit!

It can't make life easier for people to live healthily if they have to travel so far for real food while cheap junk-food is available on their doorstep

I live in a food desert, too. It's a drag because people who live here have health problems associated with unequal access to good food, and because the money we do spend on food is usually spent in other neighborhoods instead of building the capacity of our own community. Thanks for bringing attention to this important set of issues!

I too hate the miles and miles of fast food joints, but are there no bodega's?? no places you can get your eggs milk bread, whatever? you MIGHT have to cook your own food

i doubt you NEED to go to Whole Foods. WHOLE FOODS?!?! and your talking about how people can't afford things??? cmon

I really appreciate this video as an earnest and determined effort on the part of a young person not only to expose a racist and deadly issue but also to proactively initiate change in her own life and the lives of her community members.

Very very admirable. Not only is she improving the healthy living of herself and setting an example for friends and the everyday observer, this story could set precedent for similar neighborhoods nationwide as we are truly still in a fast food epidemic. No amount of "healthy" fast food options from these places will replace real healthy options. Now it depends which youth and or active community members in similar communties will suggest similar action and which "healthy" food supermarkets will listen that part of why america is so unhealthy is the COST to be healthy.

Sharp commentary gently delivered with the graphics (bus rides, Micky D's) to back it up. Quite a pilgrimage...but nobody said following the good things would be easy.

very moving and inspiring pod.

the piece was thought provoking but not totally informed.

although its bad for food in parts of south LA, its not bleak. there is a black owned natural foods restaurant and health food store on slauson called simply wholesome that services south LA and hires blacks and latinos from the community (it was a sea of tranquility during the 1992 riots). down the road on slauson is a brutha who grows wheatgrass and other raw foods. and on saturday mornings, there is a farmer's market of black farmers on slauson and crenshaw. all three of these are within a five mile radius of her starting point. AND on sundays in hollywood, lae can take the bus to the farmer's market which has growers from the region of all ethnicities selling natural and organic foods.

plus there is a whole foods (and trader joes) near LAX which are a little closer to get to. eating healthfully is a process and we all need to consider preparing and even trying to grow more of our own foods.

This turned out great guys! So glad to see it reaching audiences, and sharing a valid experience about the difficulties of eating healthy in the 'hood'.

WholeFoods is amazing!!! I went to the one in Kensington in London... Wish there was one down here!

I really appreciate how this project is connecting directly with the people making policy in the neighborhoods where these teens live. Thanks for sharing!

I enjoy a good food adventure more than the average person. Luckily, I've outgrown the desire for fast foods, or who knows what shape I'd be in today. But for my elementary school students who bring Hot Cheetos and Coke for their snack, I'm afraid they'll have a more challenging time escaping obesity, diabetes, or even tooth decay. To those parents and adults who want to reward their kids--is that cheap burger, large fries and jumbo drink really a reward? Or is it a sugar-coated punishment? The South Central Diet video is an eye opener.

Loved this pod... I'm trying to lose weight and eat healthier... its terribly hard but I've lost 10 pounds already.. its a small start but its SOO hard especially when fast food is so inexpensive and downright tasty! mmm ice cream! Anyway, I've been trying to shop at grocery stores and stuff but its hard for me to find something to eat that is fast AND healthy... My main problem I would say is knowing what NOT to eat... but unsure of what TO eat... This pod definitely describes how hard it is for everyone to eat healthier when all you see is fast fried foods... Thanks for the pod!!

I’m so glad someone has shed light to this issue.
I live in LA too and I pretty much have to suffer with this food issue…

My mom does not like the idea of buying organics because is much more expensive and she believes their all the same,
it pretty much sucks because we’re totally in a different level.
She really doesn’t realize how processed food is hurtful to our family’s health.

The nearest organic food store is surprisingly in a white, rich neighborhood… ha ha ha!

I just cant wait till I move out and eat whatever I want.

Great pod. it's sad that this is the governments answer to famine.