You may not call it a happy meal after reading this.

You won’t be happy till the end of this blog!

I have recently learned that Atlanta Georgia and Fresno California are two of the trial cities for the new Happy Meal by McDonalds.  Roll out is planned nationwide in early 2012.  I am in favor of this change, however, I must say really…is that all ya got?

The new Happy Meal will reduce the French fry size from 2.2 oz. to 1.1 oz. and will add a ¼ cup of packaged apple slices.  If customers want no fries in their happy meal, they can have two packages of apple slices.  In the news story I saw, when the kids were asked…what’s your favorite part of the Happy Meal?  They said the apples…yummmm. 

Kids love apples.  They love fruit and vegetables if done right.   I don’t know why they have not done this a long time ago.  I must say that this is a step in the right direction toward battling obesity, but not a very big step.  Oh yeah, the manager of the Mickey Dee’s said they can have no-fat chocolate milk or 1% white milk, too!  However that’s not new.   

Which bring me to the next point…

Question: What else is in a happy meal?

Answer:

Chicken McNuggets*

4 piece -190 calories & 12 grams fat

6 piece -280 calories & 18 grams of fat  

10 piece – 470 calories & 30 grams of fat 

Small fry* – 230 calories & 11 grams fat

Hamburger* 2.5 oz. - 250 calories & 9 grams fat

Cheeseburger* 4 oz. - 300 calories & 19 grams fat

Now I am certainly not picking on McDonalds alone.  All of the “junk food” restaurants have “kid friendly” meals. 

Here is my point.  Chances are you will eat there as well. That’s what they’re counting on. Right?  And you and your child do not need to be eating this way. I must warn you do not eat McDonald’s Angus Chipotle BBQ Bacon Burger; it has 800 calories and 39 grams of fat and sodium is a whopping 2020 mg.* It does not come with a Cardiologist on the side, but it should.  

I was really disturbed after I received a report form a 4-year study completed recently in Australia.  Its results were astonishing.  The study was about the mental effects on children who are obese.  My next blog I want to share some of those findings. 

In the mean time feel free to share this with those you know and love.  That is just way too much fat to be putting into our children.  Oh and by the way…if you have ever said, “I‘ll be good and just eat a happy meal” – those aren’t even good numbers for an adult.  So go shopping for fruits and vegetables, lean meat, chicken and fish.  You’ll get healthier, the kids will love you for that and you will be on your way to physical wellness. 

Remember,

Wellness Matters for Life

Life Coach Doug

p.s. What are your thoughts on this topic?

*Nutritional information obtained from McDonald’s website:

http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/usnutritionexchange/nutritionfacts.pdf