Tooele now has 17 places to 'drive by' to pick up some quick food. This, like almost everything in life, can be both good and bad.

Sometimes you just have to eat something, and since the vast majority of Americans have no emergency preparedness items in their car -- water, blanket or granola bar -- sometimes there is a need to buy and eat admittedly less-than-ideal food.

But come on America. We know that fast food isn't good for us. We know what we should be eating. A survey released by Child magazine last year found that more than half of all families eat at home together every night. Those kids not only get healthier food, but that intangible benefit of 'real time' with mom and dad. Family dinner time reduces drug and alcohol abuse, and behavior problems, and also strengthens families, according to social service experts.

Need some more reasons to literally 'drive by' the neon siren song of the fast food lights?

* One-third of kids in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Being overweight during childhood can take two to five years off a child's lifespan. Researchers affiliated with the U.S. Department of Health have called this American generation the first one that could have a shorter life span than their parents -- ever.

* Many restaurants have nutritional information available on their Web sites. Did you know adding mayo can add an additional 100 calories to your meal? Perhaps these fast food joints hide this pertinent information for a reason.

My advice is to 'step down' -- instead of a double cheeseburger, just get a cheeseburger. Order a small fry instead of a large. Drink water instead of soda. Avoid salad dressing.

As parents, we need to step up and just do simple things. Don't buy soda and junk at the store. If it is not at home, it's much easier not to eat. Model behavior would be to eat good food and encourage your kids to do the same. Don't fight about the food, but make clear rules -- i.e., "this is dinner." Don't cater to kids by making second meals or caving in on requests for junk food.

If you need more reasons to eat healthier, try renting the documentary "SuperSize Me." If you are not seriously reconsidering your fast food choices by day three -- when the subject of the film throws up on the camera -- then you're stronger than me.

I know dietary changes are hard -- I handed my baby three more gumdrops so I could finish writing this article -- but it's a struggle that is worth it. The results are not immediate, but we must try our best to help our families be their best.

Ann Herron is a journalist and former associate professor at Utah State University who lives in Tooele. She can be reached at annherron@comcast.net.