New Happy Meal...Thoughts?

[disneygirl_wdw]

We have actually had this at all the McDonald's in our area for awhile now. I think it works out great. I get kid meals all the time and true it is only a few fries but it satisfies the fry craving. I also always had a harder time choosing between the two so things work for me.

 

[Luv'sTink]

I never minded the Happy Meals when they just had fries. It was my job, as a parent, to ensure that my kids ate a healthy diet - not McDonald's'. I do not need healthy choices at every restaurant. I can eat healthy at home. I can choose not to eat at a restaurant if it doesn't offer what I want. I can do all of this and more.

So, IMO, this is much ado about nothing. It will not save one child from obesity.

If someone is not going to choose healthy; they are not going to choose healthy just because McDonalds now offers it.

 

[Wall-E1]

And as it stands, you can still request the healthier choice or apples.

I'm not annoyed at all. They currently have choices, allow the consumer to choose them.

They are allowing the consumer to choose. So, you should not have any issue with that. They are only making a change for the better in their standard kid meal offering. You can still choose the "less healthy" option. Nobody should have a problem with that.

The fact is, it's a fast food joint. Fast food in general is not healthy for you. People who are concerned about healthy eating aren't going to spend much time in McDonald's. Yes, the salads, yogurts and apples all sound healthy. Add in the preservatives, salad dressings, granola and caramel dipping sauce and well, not really so healthy. The sugar, salt, calories and fat just look a little healthier.

The salads, yogurts, and apples are healthy. If you are an educated consumer, it's very easy to choose a healthy and low calorie salad dressing at McDonalds. I don't use the caramel dipping sauce or high calorie dressings, so I can easily have a healthy meal there.

They can set it up any way they want, the bottom line is people with unhealthy eating habits who use McDonald's as a main source of their meals aren't going to be cured now because some apples come with their fries because that's what corporate decided. And as a consumer I was fine with how it was.

Well then, if it's not going to make a difference anyway, then you should have no problem with them offering a slightly healthier option as their standard meal. People are not going to be "cured" because of this small change, but each child's meal will become a little bit healthier. So, that is a positive change and a small step towards a healthier meal.

 

[tasha99]

McDonalds increased the number of choices from apples or fries to apples, fries, or half-and-half of each. Not getting why there is any negative to this at all.

 

[Wall-E1]

If someone is not going to choose healthy; they are not going to choose healthy just because McDonalds now offers it.

Statistics prove that statement wrong. McDonalds began offering apples as an "option" in 2004. Cameo apple production has increased 58% since that time to meet the demand. So, people were choosing the healthier option just because McDonalds was offering it. Now that it has become the standard offering, rather than just the option, that percentage will likely rise.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Statistics prove that statement wrong. McDonalds began offering apples as an "option" in 2004. Cameo apple production has increased 58% since that time to meet the demand. So, people were choosing the healthier option just because McDonalds was offering it. Now that it has become the standard offering, rather than just the option, that percentage will likely rise.

While I don't disagree...

I did notice an increased availability of pre-sliced apples in the produce sections of most grocery stores. I don't recall it before McD's did the apples--but I did notice a correlation.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I look at it as a good thing, my daughter agonizes over the choice now. 1/2 and 1/2= less time listening to her decide.

 

[hambirg]

I think it's crazy! I can see lots of wasted food. Plus they made the apples so small that even if you get a double order of apples it's smaller than the apples that you get now!

My kids hate french fries and always get the apples.

Elsewhere reading about this - "This isn't a change for the better this is just a way for McDonalds to cut the size of the servings down even more and still charge the same price. If I pick the 2 apple portions I get 2.4 ounces compared to the 1 I used to get that was 3.1 ounces.... if they let double the fries I get a max of 2.2 vs 2.4 in the old version... Cutting down the portions isn't increasing the nutrition of the food. This is a scam in the name of health."

I think this is the real story.

But it really doesn't matter to me. We don't buy Happy Meals anymore.

 

[IDoDis]

Sometimes we have McD's on Thursday nights because the hamburger happy meals are $1.49 each. They've been so skimpy on the fries lately, so I started ordering an extra happy meal and then splitting the fries in that meal between us. DH ate the extra burger (one wasn't usually enough) and one of the kids would eventually drink the chocolate milk. It made more sense to order another meal vs just getting the fries from the value menu.

Now it sounds like we'll just have to order more fries. Better yet we should probably not go at all on Thursdays anymore. We've pretty much gotten rid of all the junk food in the house and are back to eating healthier. But one can only take so many meals of grilled chicken breasts and brown rice!

 

[Pastamom]

I think it's crazy! I can see lots of wasted food. Plus they made the apples so small that even if you get a double order of apples it's smaller than the apples that you get now!

My kids hate french fries and always get the apples.

Elsewhere reading about this - "This isn't a change for the better this is just a way for McDonalds to cut the size of the servings down even more and still charge the same price. If I pick the 2 apple portions I get 2.4 ounces compared to the 1 I used to get that was 3.1 ounces.... if they let double the fries I get a max of 2.2 vs 2.4 in the old version... Cutting down the portions isn't increasing the nutrition of the food. This is a scam in the name of health."

How true. I'm guessing the price won't change....

The news report I had heard did not mention that all 3 options would be available it only talked about the new option which is why I originally started the thread.

 

[DaisyLynn]

So you get half fries and apples? Works perfect for us... when we go I always get the apples and give some of my fries up, or order both if I don't get fries. Either way it save money or my fries....

I do this now with my nephew when we go. It'll be nice to have the meal come with a little of each!

I go to McDonalds for a healthy lunch every now and then if I am short on time. I get the "vegetarian lunch special" - a salad, yogurt parfait, and bottled water. McDonalds has the best prepared salads of all the fast food joints (imo).

ITA.

It's kind of moot for me now since ds now wants an adult meal. The happy meal is just not enough for him. However, he did always want the apples and didn't use the caramel when he did eat happy meals. I wish you could get a healthier side dish with an "adult" meal.

ITA with this too!

 

[Tink888]

I think this is the real story.

But it really doesn't matter to me. We don't buy Happy Meals anymore.

Bingo!!!

They are allowing the consumer to choose. So, you should not have any issue with that. They are only making a change for the better in their standard kid meal offering. You can still choose the "less healthy" option. Nobody should have a problem with that.

Again, as it currently stands, the customer is currently allowed to choose.

The salads, yogurts, and apples are healthy. If you are an educated consumer, it's very easy to choose a healthy and low calorie salad dressing at McDonalds. I don't use the caramel dipping sauce or high calorie dressings, so I can easily have a healthy meal there.

Again, compare your McDonald's nutritional chart. Yes, they may be a "slightly" better choice but a diet primarily from a fast food source is not a healthy one.

Well then, if it's not going to make a difference anyway, then you should have no problem with them offering a slightly healthier option as their standard meal. People are not going to be "cured" because of this small change, but each child's meal will become a little bit healthier. So, that is a positive change and a small step towards a healthier meal.

Do you work for McDonald's? Or are you the one who is annoyed with those who don't agree with you? The thread asked for thoughts and I gave mine. And you are entitled to yours. Bamafan (I think) said it best, as a parent it is up to me to make sure my child has a healthy diet, not McDonald's.

You & I just seem to share a fundamental difference of opinion in that you are okay with corporations making those decisions and I prefer, as an educated consumer, to make them on my own. And that's okay. Moot point anyway as everyone in my family is past the age of buying Happy Meals and when we do purchase fast food, it is not primarily as a source of healthy eating but rather an occasional indulgence in junk that isn't good for us.

Frankly to me, all McDonald's is really doing is giving an uneducated consumer the false sense that they are eating healthy when in reality, fast food is not healthy when consumed on a frequent basis.

If McDonald's REALLY wanted to provide parents with healthier choices in their Happy Meal offerings, they'd ADD more choices, for example another fruit offering in addition to apples or carrot & celery sticks. They could go even further by providing a side salad (my boys have always loved salads) as an alternative choice to the burger or chicken nugget. Those are real choices and real change. But they haven't.

 

[luvmy3]

As long as they don't get rid of their mocha frappes I don't care what they do to their happy meals.

 

[castmemberb4]

Didn't read all of the posts but aren't McDonald's fries already the healtiest fast food fries? Don't they use sunflower oil? They are cetainly the best tasting. I would think McDonalds is a treat and would not be happy that my kids couldn't get a full order of fries on that ocassion.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

We must have a pilot store or something, because the last 2 Happy Meals I have ordered have come with a small order of fries and a packet of apples. I think just a taste of fries is about right - for me or DD, since I am likely to order a kids meal for myself.

 

[4greatboys]

I never minded the Happy Meals when they just had fries. It was my job, as a parent, to ensure that my kids ate a healthy diet - not McDonald's'. I do not need healthy choices at every restaurant. I can eat healthy at home. I can choose not to eat at a restaurant if it doesn't offer what I want.

 

[shortbun]

As one who orders a Happy Meal because of the smaller portions, I am happy about the changes. I want a few bites of McDonalds sometimes but even by the end of a Happy Meal, I feel guilty. Bring on the apples and cut the salt!!! Bravo McDonalds for at least making America have thought process.

 

[Jennasis]

As one who orders a Happy Meal because of the smaller portions, I am happy about the changes. I want a few bites of McDonalds sometimes but even by the end of a Happy Meal, I feel guilty. Bring on the apples and cut the salt!!! Bravo McDonalds for at least making America have thought process.

May have to change the name to a "Guilty Meal".

When I hit up Mickey D's, I ask for the LARGE fries (and Diet Coke) with my meal. No guilt...just happiness.

However, this really is a complete non-story since one can still get a regular Happy Meal size order of fries with a Happy Meal if you ask.

 

[mjantz]

Honestly this will probably make me more likely to order a Happy Meal for myself as I get a little of both that I want. I have a lap band so a Happy Meal is perfect.
And I agree on wanting more options other than fries with adult meals. I love that Wendys has options for a salad or chili in addition to the fries.

 

[4greatboys]

It's kind of moot for me now since ds now wants an adult meal. The happy meal is just not enough for him. However, he did always want the apples and didn't use the caramel when he did eat happy meals. I wish you could get a healthier side dish with an "adult" meal.

I agree. I have asked before if I could get the apples instead of fries and I was told no. Now I could have paid for them in addition to meal if I wanted.