New York City’s Board of Health has banned restaurants from serving food containing artificial trans fat, an artery-clogging substance listed on food label as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.

The news came as a shock to New Yorkers who say it’s not up to the government to decide what people can and can not eat.

“Government officials should have more pressing things to do than regulate what kind of oil my French fries and donuts are cooked in,” said JBG member Sheila. “My waistline is my business, not the mayor of New York’s or any other politician.”

“It’s ridiculous,” said Rosa. “I will still eat what I want to eat.”

But some girlfriends, like Rose, said most people don’t realize it’s for their own good.

“There are a lot of uninformed black women who eat trans fats because they don’t know any better,” said Rose. “This is for our own good. White women and women from other ethnic backgrounds are not the ones who are eating lots of greased-soaked food.”

While people debate over whether or not the ban was the right thing to do, it’s restaurant owners in the Big Apple who have the most to worry about. Restaurants will get a grace period to make both changes. But by mid-2008, Dunkin' Donuts will have to find a substitute for the 3.5 grams of trans fat in its Boston Kremes and tell customers up front that the yummy snacks contain 240 calories.

Carl Redding, owner of Amy Ruth’s restaurant in Harlem, said his establishment has used zero-percent trans fat for the past five years. He said he made the decision because he wanted to put the health of his customers first.

“Trans fat contains a dangerous oil that contains cholesterol and that causes clogged arteries,” said Redding, whose signature dish is southern fried chicken and melt-in-your-mouth waffles. “The city has made a decision to do its part to help people get healthy.”

Redding, 41, said zero trans fat oil is more expensive, but it’s worth the extra money, if it means his customers could live longer, healthier lives.

“Trans fat can lead to heart attacks, strokes and even death,” said Redding. “I don’t know what all the fuss is about because the food will still taste good.”

New York City Department of Health officials said the changes will help fight the twin epidemics of obesity and heart disease. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who banned smoking in bars and restaurants during his first term, said the changes could save lives.

"We're not trying to take away anybody's ability to go out and have the kind of food that they want in the quantities that they want,” said Bloomberg. “But we are trying to make that food safer.”

All other foods, including doughnuts, cookies and pies that use partially hydrogenated vegetable oil for texture, will have to be trans fat free by July 2008.

Dinning out in New York will be much healthier.