State Restaurants Cut The Fat

PALM DESERT – Soon you’ll be able to eat healthier and smarter and you don’t have to change a thing.

“I’m always trying to eat a healthier diet,” says Gary Callihan, customer at Randy’s Cafe.

Beginning Friday, a new state law will require California restaurants to cut the fat. All oil, margarine and shortening must have less than one half gram of trans fat.

“I think it will make everyone more healthy,” says Callihan.

Trans fat preserves flavor and shelf life of food, but it can cause serious health problems.

“The main ones are clogging of the arteries, heart disease and obesity,” says Keli Lester, Nutritionist at World Gym in La Quinta. ” I always tell my clients to stay away from trans fat.”

At the start of the year, this will be easier, which is something most restaurant customers like.

“It’s nice insurance to know that I will be getting the healthy oils and I don’t have to worry about it,” says Callihan.

Many restaurants here in the desert have already made the switch. At Randy’s Cafe you won’t find any items with trans fat. Instead he uses oils and shortenings made with healthier, natural fats.

“The only oil I use is pressed olive oil,” says Randy McWilliams, owner of Randy’s Cafe.

McWilliams says he likes the new law, but doesn’t think everyone will.

“It will be tough on the restaurants especially on the big chains to make the change, it will be tough to follow the guidelines,” says McWilliams.

However, if they break the guidelines they’ll pay. Restaurant owners face a fat fine, up to $1,000.

Bakeries around the state have until January of 2011 to comply with the trans fat law.