Vista L.A.: Healthy changes in Latino community

  By Jovana Lara and Danny Romero

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- There's a growing awareness about what it means to live a healthy lifestyle. From national campaigns targeting urban communities to local businesses providing healthier options - we wanted to find out how Latinos are doing when it comes to health.

Northgate Gonzalez Market

Northgate Gonzalez Market, a family-run business since 1980, is a leading grocer in urban communities all over Southern California and is committed to providing healthier food options for its customers. The grocery store's "Healthy Alternatives" campaign even got the attention of first lady Michelle Obama when she paid a visit to a future Northgate Gonzalez site in Inglewood. This was part of a celebratory event because Northgate Gonzalez was chosen as the first of many businesses to receive a loan from California Fresh Works. With this loan, the Gonzalez family has committed to opening three more Northgate Gonzalez Markets in neighborhoods where healthy food options are limited [Watch video].

Sana Gourmet Foods

Chef Julieta Marroquin is on a mission to change the way people think about Latino food. So she created a new line of vegan and vegetarian tamales and started a new company to sell them, Sana Gourmet Foods.

Dishing with Evette Rios

Evette Rios, the lifestyle expert on ABC's "The Chew," brought her passion for healthy cooking to Vista L.A. The first recipe is "Pollo a la Nilsa," a traditional Latino chicken dish inspired by her mother Nilsa. It's a diabetes-friendly dish that's both good and good for you. The recipe includes heart-healthy substitutions, like plantains instead of rice and homemade sauces.

The second meal Evette is dishing up is a recipe from White House Chef Cris Comerford - and a kid favorite. The Garden Vegetable Pizza is made with fresh vegetables and low-fat ingredients.

Salma Hayek's "Got Milk" Breakfast Project

Salma Hayek is also getting on the healthy-eating bandwagon. She's lending her celebrity to help everyone, especially Latinos, realize that eating a healthy breakfast is a big part of staying healthy. You can see her on the latest "Got Milk" commercials in English and Spanish.

Overcoming Obesity

Pediatrician Rocio Perez discusses the growing epidemic of obesity and diabetes in Latino kids.

Related Photos

Latino community living healthy lifestyle

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Fitness for Fun & for Life

Vista L.A. discovered teenagers from East Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods who have started a cycling club they call "Night Crawling." The kids ride for fun, for fitness and for a healthier future.

See this week's Vista L.A. episode in pictures.

[Original air date: April 22, 2012]

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