Illegal Happy Meals

[TheDisneyGirl02]

http://news.yahoo.com/video/business-15749628/where-happy-meals-are-illegal-19362009

Where Happy Meals Are Illegal
9 hours ago - ABC News 2:21 | 227406 views
A county law in California breaks the bond between toys and fast food.

I was just wondering what other people thought of this new county law. Personally, I think it's silly and I don't think it's going to help one bit.

 

[LuvBaloo]

I think its ridiculous.
The kids that are getting the meals, are still going to be getting bad meals.
I don't think the happy meal toys are why the kids are obese.

 

[mhsjax]

Well, leave it to CA, they seen to have some crazy ideas. Sorry people of CA.

Just another example of the Gov't trying to take over our lives and tell us how to do everything. Maybe the parents should just grow a set and say no. My kids do get fast food sometimes, but I can honestly say that they have gotten maybe 3 or 4 happy meals in their life and they weren't purchased by me.

 

[Kae]

I think it is sad. & scary

Kae

 

[Kae]

Well, leave it to CA, they seen to have some crazy ideas. Sorry people of CA.

Just another example of the Gov't trying to take over our lives and tell us how to do everything. Maybe the parents should just grow a set and say no. My kids do get fast food sometimes, but I can honestly say that they have gotten maybe 3 or 4 happy meals in their life and they weren't purchased by me.

Well said

Kae

 

[pandora174]

I think that's ridiculous ! My DS would be devastated I would need to get a black market happy meal My DH & DS every Friday as long as he's been behaved well & done all his work go for a happy meal after school. It's there bonding thing. DS loves playing in the play area & has a happy meal but with milk & apple slice.

DS is not obese, plays sports & eats regular healthy lunches & dinners so what if I want to treat my child to a happy meal & yes he LOVES the toy ?? I agree it's scary that the govt can tell me what I can or can't feed my child. What next time they are going to ban sour gummy bears from movie theaters or popcorn ??? Where would it stop, no pizza at Chuckee Cheese ?

 

[C.Ann]

Or - since McD's claim they are offering healthier options for kids now - why not replace the junk in the current Happy Meals with those items and then still include the toy as an incentive for the kids to choose the healthier meals?

When my former SIL's kids were little she was practically obssesed with making sure that her kids were the "first" to have each new toy when it came out.. Even if it meant driving all over heck and high water - getting Happy Meals in each town - she wouldn't stop until they had the "new" toy.. They would be on the hunt 2 to 3 times a week.. Luckily her DD didn't develop any significant weight issues, but her son (now in his 20's) was very obese by the time he hit 3rd grade - and is even larger now.. Of course she was also big on having all sorts of junk food and soda on hand for them in the house 24/7 - to eat whenever they felt like it.. I think the way she rationalized it in her mind is that she grew up very poor and never had any "treats", so she made sure that her own children were going to have everything and anything that was available..

 

[luvmy3]

Or - since McD's claim they are offering healthier options for kids now - why not replace the junk in the current Happy Meals with those items and then still include the toy as an incentive for the kids to choose the healthier meals?

When my former SIL's kids were little she was practically obssesed with making sure that her kids were the "first" to have each new toy when it came out.. Even if it meant driving all over heck and high water - getting Happy Meals in each town - she wouldn't stop until they had the "new" toy.. They would be on the hunt 2 to 3 times a week.. Luckily her DD didn't develop any significant weight issues, but her son (now in his 20's) was very obese by the time he hit 3rd grade - and is even larger now.. Of course she was also big on having all sorts of junk food and soda on hand for them in the house 24/7 - to eat whenever they felt like it.. I think the way she rationalized it in her mind is that she grew up very poor and never had any "treats", so she made sure that her own children were going to have everything and anything that was available..

Its a shame that she didn't know that you can buy the toys seperately from the Happy Meal

How about CA ban parents because that is who is saying yes and buying the Happy Meals. Who knows maybe that will be next

 

[LuvBug1977]

Do they really think that the toy is what makes the kids eat the food? It's the parent saying... "You have to eat all your food BEFORE you can have your toy!"
You can purchase a toy without purchasing the Happy Meal, too. And at our McDonald's 99% of the time they are out of the "advertised" toy.
I also find it humorous that the Health Dept is supposed to enforce this new law. Like they have nothing else to do!

 

[LuvBug1977]

I see a new site for Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution!

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

What about the kid who's only ordering the happy meal for the toy, but could eat something larger? Now they'll probably order a bigger meal without the incentive to get the portion controlled kids' meal.

Oops.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I also think it's silly and over the top. I know when I go to McDonald's I usually get a salad and a grilled chicken wrap because those are the healthiest things that I can find on the menu. I'm doing Weight Watcher's and those two items fit on the plan. I used to love getting the Happy Meal toys when I was little, I liked the toys more than the food.

One Happy Meal isn't going to make a child obese - heck, even a couple of Happy Meals won't make a child obese. It's the overall picture that needs to be looked at and not just one small piece of the puzzle.

Will that county ban parent's from serving unhealthy foods at home next?!

 

[SAHDad]

Well, leave it to CA, they seen to have some crazy ideas. Sorry people of CA.

Just another example of the Gov't trying to take over our lives and tell us how to do everything. Maybe the parents should just grow a set and say no. My kids do get fast food sometimes, but I can honestly say that they have gotten maybe 3 or 4 happy meals in their life and they weren't purchased by me.

Scatterbrain had it right, just a few years too early:

1984 has past, forget about Big Brother,
Welcome to the 90's where the government's your
Mother.

They'll tell you - don't do that.
They'll try and tell you - it's for your own good.
Big Mother is watching you
Mother's protecting you
Mommy knows what's right for you

They force their will on all the rest
They got the power, they know what's best.

(from "Goodbye Freedom, Hello Mom")

My kids get happy meals from time to time - mainly when we are travelling, and we need to get something to eat while we are on the road.

 

[rie'smom]

Why don't they worry about illegal immigration and leave the Happy Meals alone?

 

[castleview]

This is absurd and a great example of over-legislating.

 

[Halbleib1]

Taking the toy out of the meal is not going to stop kids from asking for fast food. My son could care less about the toy that comes in the meals but he still will ask for a kids meal from time to time. As a parent it is up to us to just say NO. Parents need to tell their kids NO more often.

Fast food is not the reason for obese kids. Parents are. After all our kids are not buying themselves the junk. We need to say no to fast food and other junky prepared meals from the grocery store and make our kids healthier meals at home. We also have to get them to exercise more if they are not doing enough already.

Parents are supposed to parent their kids not the government.

 

[C.Ann]

Parents are supposed to parent their kids not the government.

With one out of four children now being considered obese, obviously the parents aren't..

Just the other day I heard on the news that obesity - in both children and adults - is currently the number one health crisis that is facing this country.. Something has to change.. What - and how - I'm not sure..

 

[TwinsinCA]

I hope the three that voted 'yes' lose their jobs next time they are up for re-election. Shame on them for passing something so ridiculous!

I used to live in that county. I am glad I don't anymore.

 

[DisneySaver28]

I don't think it's such a bad thing. Some of you are complaining about the government over-regulating, but what's the difference between this and the laws against cigarette advertisements?

The law isn't banning toys from happy meals. It's banning toys from UNHEALTHY happy meals. You can't tell me that kids aren't influenced by the toy offerings? That's why McDonald's has them in the first place!

 

[ICF]

pointless and stupid.....