I can agree that fast food restaurants are cheaper than other (healthier) restaurants, bit I can not agree that you can not eat healthy without spending a fortune.

Prices of food in the big chain shops are very reasonable and you can shop a tone of healthy food and this will not cost more than $300-$400 per month for 4 member family.

Here is a good article how to buy healthy food on a budget.

Probably the problem is not in the price of food but in laziness. If you cook at home you need to devote from 30 to 60 minutes per day in the kitchen and people don’t like this. Probably if you look at this time like an investment in your health and at the same time you save money in your bank account (because you don’t spent for restaurants) this could raise your motivation.

On 29^th of July 2008, Los Angeles City Council agreed to ban the launching of new fast food shops in South Los Angeles for a year. The reason for this decision is the hope that for this one year the other (non fast food) restaurants will have time to grow and pull the clients from the part of the city where child obesity is 30%. Read the whole story.

I like this, although it is not democratic, sometimes such steps are necessary.