Monday, August 1, 2011

"McDonald's to make Happy Meals more healthful"

I have some questions, which I've written below.

"The fast food chain plans to add a serving of fruit or vegetable to all of the Happy Meals, which are aimed at children, and shrink the portion of French fries."

Does that make a Happy Meal an acceptable meal for the growing epidemic of childhood obesity?

"The new French fry holders in Happy Meals will contain 1.1 ounces of potatoes, down from 2.4. Apple slices will often be included as the healthful side dish, but it could also be carrots, raisins, pineapple slices or mandarin oranges, depending on the time of year and the region in which they're being served, Fields said."

Raisins might be the added fruit? Mandarin oranges - fresh or in syrup?

"In the revamped Happy Meals, the caramel sauce will not be offered."

This is very alarming. The fact that is WAS offered with apples for years, in order to entice kids to actually eat the apples and/or want them, is disturbing.  It won't be offered now? FINALLY!

So the question is...is this enough? 
Small changes lead to big success.

What about not only decreasing the size of the fries but changing them to sweet potato fries? What about decreasing the amount of oil and salt used in them? 
What about teaching kids what real fruit tastes like, and how it can taste sweet without adding a sugary topping on them? 
What about adding a nutrition program or adding something to the Happy Meals that teaches about health, even a "Health Man" stuffed animal? 

Everything is about cost, and yes, this is a start, but is it really enough change?

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