I’m Not Loving It

In an announcement made over the summer, McDonald’s is changing its Happy Meals. Now, the kids meal includes both apples and fries. The changes began taking place in September in some markets and are expected to completely roll out by April 2012. 

The kicker? They are advertising this as “one of many exciting changes to look forward to.”

The included notice in each box shouts “Wholesome fun!” and includes marketing that specifically states, “McDonald’s is making sure that every Happy Meal is a delicious balance of fun and goodness.” 

Ok, who are they kidding? Fun equals toys, not fries. Goodness should equate with health and apples. Not fries. Plus, their apple pack only has four slices now, half of what it used to be. Adding a mini-box of fries adds an addiitonal 100 calories.

Now before I get too high up on my horse, I fully recognize that McD’s is a treat my children enjoy about once or twice a month. Maybe its too much for some, but I was pacified in knowing that the milk and apples were no different than what I’d give them at home, so the real perk was the nuggets or cheeseburger and toy bonus. I took pride in knowing that my kids didn’t associate McDonald's with fries or soda (and never once saw the caramel sauce) and they were quite content with what they got.

Now, as they open their boxes, they have met the golden gut-bomb that I’ve been trying to avoid.

I’m thinking our Happy Meal days are numbered. I can no longer justify this added expense for a company that must have either a) found the cost of apples to be too much, or b) is intent on addicting children of French fries. And I can’t understand why they are hailing this as a positive step. Fries and apples?  Really?

Here I thought that many fast food establishments were working to compete with Subway and other healthy choices, as most burger chains adopted kid-friendly options like apples, mandarin oranges and yogurt. But this seems to be a major step in reverse.

In response to customer complaints at the optional elimination of fries with purchase, McDonald’s spokesperson Dayna Proud in a NYTimes article said, “That’s what we’ve really felt all along, that ultimately; it’s a parent decision to make about their child’s well-being.” 

Um, what? So parents had the option to make decisions about their kids’ meals and they complained? Am I the only one who finds this backwards? According to the article, and many others around the web, only 11 percent of parents opted for apples. This seems strangely low on its own, but it is a parent’s prerogative and responsibility to make smart choices about what our kids are eating.

To McDonald’s credit, I guess, they are allowing customers to double the apples as a replacement to the fries, as long as you remember to specifically ask for “just apples, no fries.” My husband’s recent request for apples found us with the included side of fries – because I guess asking for apples on something that already includes them is confusing.

I found it further interesting on the initial Good Morning America segment in July where McDonald’s president Jan Fields proudly announced the company’s changes, which apparently gets the approval of First Lady Michelle Obama, that she sidestepped a valid question from nutritionist Rachael Richardson. When Richardson asked why the company didn’t make further changes, Fields is quoted as saying, "I am confident about the changes that we're making on our Happy Meals." 

Well, I guess that settles it.

I wish I were more confident.