News Taffy

McDonald's is rolling out what they are billing as a healthier Happy Meal for kids. In an effort to keep up with the pressure of making fast food a healthier option, all McDonald's in New York City will add locally sourced apple slices automatically into every Happy Meal. Before, you had to ask for the apples. The fast food giant has also downsized their super size stance on the fries in the Happy Meal. Now, kids will get an appropriate portion instead of a larger bag of fries.

OK, so that's a start. I'll give them that. I feel McDonald's felt the pressure to make their fast food as healthy as possible considering it is not really a healthy option at all. However, I'm of the opinion that McDonald's should not be a mainstay in any kid's diet or, an adults for that matter, if healthier options are available. With as many obese Americans as there are, I am convinced that it is what is in these exact types of foods (additives) coupled with our addiction to starchy foods and sugar that has made us an overweight nation. Throw in our lack of sufficient exercise, and you have a recipe for an overweight population that includes our little ones.

You can now ask for low fat milk and even fat-free chocolate milk. I mentioned to the McDonald's nutritionist, Keri Gans, that chocolate milk is not a good option in my opinion because of the amount of sugar it contains. Gans reiterated that it was fat free chocolate milk and didn't address my concerns over the sugar. I chalked it up to corporate spin and continued munching on my locally sourced apple slices! I also learned that you can ask for no salt on your fries and on your burger. This I did not know.

If you find yourself at McDonald's, at least you have a more nutritious option for your little ones. The company is doing a much better job of offering healthier items for the more mature palate as well. It's a small step in the direction for a company whose goal has always been fast and not necessarily healthy.

The program is starting in New York City. I can't give you a time frame as to when you can expect to see the new options in your Jonesboro McDonald's. You will have to be more diligent in your own ordering to try to make the Happy Meal happier for your kids!

You can read more about D.J.'s adventures in the Big Apple at www.djduckworthyoga.com/blog