Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) had its IPO on January 26 for $22, doubling that day to close at $45 per share. Chipotle’s concept brings simple, natural Mexican food to a unique environment.

In contrast to the diabetes epidemic, Americans increasingly demonstrate their concern for their health. A Vizu poll above shows that 48% of women consider their health at every meal. Similarly, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2006 Restaurant Industry Forecast, nearly three in four adults (72%) say they are trying to eat more healthfully in restaurants than they did two years ago. While people often eat healthy at home and use restaurants as an indulgence, we are eating out more and more and can’t afford to indulge ourselves 5.3 times a week, the average restaurant visit of Americans in 2004

Last month, the New York Times ran a series on diabetes, highlighting staggering facts that emphasize the need for a fast food alternative: “One in three children born in the United States five years ago are expected to become diabetic in their lifetimes, according to a projection by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The forecast is even bleaker for Latinos: one in every two will get diabetes.  The “American Diabetes Association says the disease could actually lower the average life expectancy of Americans for the first time in more than a century.”

I recently met Dr. Walter Bortz, author of “Diabetes Danger”, who says that “obesity predisposes individuals to …diabetes, hypertension, stroke, arthritis, and heart disease”, leading to medical costs of $132 billion in 2002. Dr. Bortz also says, however, that diabetes can be prevented through diet and exercise, citing Arkansas Governee Huckabee who lost over 100 pounds, ran a marathon, and beat his diabetes.

Eating and exercise habits can reduce the financial, physical, and emotional costs of obesity and diabetes.  To do so, we need more healthy fast food options and the motivation to fit exercise into our busy lives. 

Ideal Bite - I have been taking 2 minutes a day to read Ideal Bite’s free emails that have eco-living tips on products, services, food, entertainment and actions showing how you can easily align your daily decisions with your personal values. I definitely recommend that you sign up. More info and a signup box below.

__(’Read the rest of this entry »’)