"unhealthy food" news and stories

Last year, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) was involved with the promotion of several measures to restrict the content of food advertisements that were targeted at, or easily viewable by, children. Broadcasting regulator Ofcom instituted a ban on junk food ads that were targeted at 16-and-under TV viewers during non-primetime hours, which was a major victory for those supporting restrictions.

The FSA also supported a ban on online junk food advertising that was targeted at this demographic, a step which many believed was a step too far at the time. Clearly, times and opinions have changed, however, because further regulations have just been drawn up by the Department of Health's Committee on Advertising Practice that will ban "junk food companies" from advertising in magazines, on the internet, on billboards and at movie screenings that are targeted at under-16s.

Fortunately for the companies in question and the media outlets that rely on their advertising dollars, there is no official oversight of all these forms of advertising, which means that following the regulations is voluntary - for the moment, anyway.

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If you're like me, you could stand to lose a few pounds. Maybe you're overweight or out of shape, or maybe you're blood pressure and cholesterol is higher than you (and your doctor) would like. So you resolve to really get in shape. To start exercising every single day and eating better. You sit down and make a list of the foods you won't eat anymore, and maybe you even buy a book that will tell you what to eat and what not to eat. I've done this several times.

But I was thinking: yeah, I'll get in shape and eat better, but there are just some foods that I just don't want to give up, no matter what. Sure, maybe I'll cut down on them drastically, or save them for those special "cheat days," but I can't give them up completely. Here are my 8:

1. Pizza. Probably my favorite food. A perfect food, really, and I don't see how I could give it up. Tomatoes and veggies are good for you, though I too often find myself eating an entire pizza instead of just a couple of slices.

Family-oriented attractions, including theme parks and fairs, are "failing to provide healthy food" says a report that sent a "secret mum" to visit 14 tourist attractions around the UK. She found their food lacking, offering primarily burgers and fried foods. To the average fair or park-goer this is no surprise, but some are expressing concern over the fact that they are unable to find healthy options for their children at such venues. How, they wonder, can they provide healthy foods to their children in such an environment?

The theme parks are the ones who respond with a voice of reason, saying that visits are generally special occasions, not once-a-week events. A burger and fries is not going to irreversibly set your child down the path to obesity, but if your concern is too great, there is always the option to pack a few healthy nutrition-type bars and eat a full meal after you leave.

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