McDonald’s Makes Me Grumpy For A Very Weird Reason

Posted On July 27, 2011

The McDonald’s Happy Meal (I’ve also heard it expressed as the Micky D’s Crappy Meal, but that’s another subject … ahem).

I think this product and that company both have a definite image problem, and want to avoid looking like they are feeding the problem of childhood obesity (pun only partially intended).

YES, they are marketing to children with a decidedly creepy clown. YES, they have toys in their Meal-Deals to induce children to nag their parents into submission …. They’re okay with THAT, they just don’t want to be seen as contributing to childhood obesity.

So What Is McDonald’s Doing About It?

McDonald’s announced today (June 26) that it will automatically include both produce AND french fries in every Happy Meal, meaning parents and kids no longer have to opt for either fries or fruit.

And because produce will be included in all Happy Meals, french fry-holder sizes will get smaller — from 2.4 to 1.1 ounces, this according to ABC News.

Kind of a Bummer

This is a totally awesome thing to do for kids … to just make fruit more ubiquitous in their favorite meal. LOVE that. So what’s the problem?

McDonalds is such a great bad guy to rail against — the symbol of the darth vader evil empire of food and fatness. And now they’ve gone and done something good for kids with this initiative … dang, now I have to talk sweet about them!

It’s not just apples, either

Apples will be the main produce option, but other McDonald’s may offer carrots, pineapple slices, raisins or mandarin oranges depending on the region and time of the year, according to ABC News. Heck, you can even replace the french fries with MORE fruit.

PLUS, in addition to the Happy Meal fruit makeover, the Empire also plans to reduce sodium in all of its menu items by 15 percent by 2015.

Grrrr … this is a great thing!! The idea of praising a company like McDonalds makes you want to wash yourself off — hose yourself off. But whatever their motivations, these are three really good steps toward healthier choices for our children.

McDonald’s Happy Meals To Get Less Fries, More Fruit

For more information: Click here to visit Will Clower’s website.