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McDonald's rolls out healthier Happy Meal this week

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Published: 2012-01-17 20:51:00
Updated: 2012-01-17 20:51:00

Posted: January 17, 2012

Tags: Food and Nutrition, Eating out

Your kids' McDonald's Happy Meals are about to look a little different.

Local McDonald's will begin offering a reformulated Happy Meal starting Wednesday. The new meal will include both apple slices and a smaller size container of French fries, along with a choice of a hamburger, cheeseburger or chicken nuggets. Beverage choices include new fat free chocolate milk or 1 percent low fat white milk. For customers who don't want fries, they can ask for two bags of apple slices.

McDonald's began rolling out this healthier Happy Meal this summer. The changes represent an estimated 20 percent reduction in calories of the most popular Happy Meals and also cut the fat, according to McDonald's. McDonald's also is looking to expand on its side offerings, possibly eventually including other produce or low-fat dairy options, according to this McDonald's report.

Later this year, McDonald's also will begin promoting nutrition and active lifestyles in all of its marketing to kids, including merchandising, advertising and Happy Meal packaging.

As most of you know, McDonald's has gotten a lot of flack in recent years from health advocates and some parents for its quality of food. For a broader look at the debate, check this New York Times article, written when McDonald's announced the new Happy Meal.

According to the New York Times article, the new Happy Meal with chicken nuggets and 1 percent milk will equal 410 calories and 19 grams of fat, compared to the old version, which had 520 calories and 26 grams of fat.

For information on McDonald's local promotions and events, check this Facebook page.

 

Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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but seriously, why is it McDonald's job to feed my child a healthier meal? i make the choice to go there and i know what my child likes to eat. i could make the choice to cook at home or go elsewhere but if i choose McDonalds, then I choose the food they cook and i'm happy with it.
Click to view my profile JAT
January 19, 2012 10:41 a.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
"Its still not real food. Anyone that feeds their kids this should be put in jail for child abuse. --TeenDAD"

You probably beat your kids
Click to view my profile dm919
January 19, 2012 1:28 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
Consumption of fat doesn't make people fat any more than eating brains makes people smart; people get fat because of the insulin resistance precipitated by eating too much carbohydrate.
Click to view my profile Schpartacus
January 19, 2012 1:41 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
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