San Francisco is coming close to passing a law forbidding restaurants to offer toys in meals that don't pass certain nutritional requirements. Read more about it here.
Here's a breakdown of what the requirements would be:
Calories: Less than 600
Sodium: Less than 640 milligrams
Fat: Less than 35% of calories from fat, less than 10% from saturated fat
Plus, a fruit or vegetable would have to be introduced with each meal.
I'm no expert but if years of dieting has taught me anything, it's that the standard amount of calories an adult person should consume a day is around 2000-2500. So less than 600 calories for one child's meal seems beyond reasonable to me.
McDonald's is, of course, "extremely disappointed with this decision". Their spokesperson, Danya Proud says, "It's not what our customers want." Well, DUH. By customers, you mean kids, right Danya? Because last time I checked, if a five-year-old asked for a car, it doesn't mean anybody should give it to him.
McDonald's also says, it is "unrealistic" to expect kids to eat meals that meet these health regulations. Bullshit. I say, you stick a borderline healthy meal and a Megamind figure in a Happy Meal box and most kids don't even know the difference. And if they do? That's on you, McDonald's. You've been feeding kids crap for too long. Time to figure it out!
Here's the thing: If McDonald's is feeding our children and MTV is educating our kids about sex, then at a certain point they both have to take responsibility for the epidemics facing our children today. That means, you too, US Weekly! Don't put a Teen Mom on the cover, K? Cause I know that you know that kids want to be on the covers of magazines!
I know educating kids should fall mainly on parents and teachers— but who are we to compete with billion dollar advertising budgets?
What do you think?
i’m so with you and yelled “BULLSHIT” at my tv this morning when i saw this segment on the today show.
Totally agree. But I have to smile because i hear myself. What is it you do for a living again…?
Wow. Being upset because a whole meal has to be less then 600 calories? Sorry, but young kids don’t need that amount of calories. Hell, adults don’t even need that many calories per meal.
Last time I checked I was sitting at my kitchen counter waiting for my kid to wake up from her nap:)
Sometimes the general population isn’t nearly as stupid as the big corporations think that they are.
I think it’s a great idea. It would then mean I would be driving less to McDonald’s and eating that crap myself. Maybe I’ll lose those 10 pounds I’ve been saying I’m going to lose for the last…ummmm….let’s see, the last….uhhhhhhh…
Damn right ! Agree with you 100% (I feel really pumped up and mad at those big corporations right now, I almost want to go on strike to show protest…French style)
Did you see this article about the happy meal showing no sign of decomposing after 6 months ?? UGH
(sorry, long link)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1319562/McDonalds-Happy-Meal-bought-Sally-Davies-shows-sign-mould-6-months.htmlhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1319562/McDonalds-Happy-Meal-bought-Sally-Davies-shows-sign-mould-6-months.html
totally agreed– they (the kids that is) won’t even blink. my kids don;t even know about white bread, 2% milk or white rice. not because we’re over the top, but b/c it’s just what we serve. excellent post!
Did you see that photo of the chicken McNugget meat? And I’m using ‘meat’ very loosely hear. Forget the nutritional stuff. Who wants to eat blended pigeon?
I did a post about the nutella ad campaign a few weeks ago. Their position is that Nutella helps kids eat whole grains for breakfast. I called bullshit on that too! I don’t think kids really have a problem eating whole grains these days. Here’s the link:
https://www.mommyshorts.com/2010/10/nutella-for-breakfast-really.html
I couldn’t find the article from the link but I remember Morgan Spurlock did a similar experiment with a McDonald’s hamburger and fries in Super Size Me- it’s frightening! What the hell is in that stuff?
I did not see that photo nor do I want to.
Thanks for the helpful information you shared.