Happier Meals

Parents around the world can breath a sigh of relief. it seems that McDonald's is making its' happy meals finally healthy. This longtime childhood favorite is finally bowing to pressure . After all while the meals may have promoted smiles they did nothing to promote a child;'s well being.

The Happy Meal has always undergone some form of criticism and with good reason. It created a lifelong addiction to unhealthy fast food and jump started childhood obesity. Kids grew up craving Coke and fries instead of juice and veggies. To add to the deal McDonald's always threw in a toy, usually a tie in with whatever kiddie movie was current. This became baby crack. Little ones had to have the toy, In order to get the toy, nuggets or burgers had to be consumed. Of course any fast food is tasty and to a young palate it's like gourmet. Unfortunately it has created all sort s of problems since it was introduced in 1979.

Thankfully all tha t is about to change. Low fat chocolate milk will replace calorie and sugar rich soda. Apple slices will sub in for salt and oil soaked fries. There will still be the mainstays: junior burgers and chicken nuggets. However the meal has gone from 520 calories and 26 grams of fat to 410 calories and 19 grams of fat. Parents are happy about this although they have been long offered the choice of fruit or fries. According to Mc Donald's , though only eleven per cent did take the healthier choice in the past Hopefully the company will offer kid sized version of their salads too which would be the best choice of all .

The Happy Meal, like any fast food is getting healthier. It's s joining the ranks of everyone from White Castle to Burger King to IHOP topromote healthy diets for kids. Will it succeed. As long as there's a a smile on both the kid's and parents, faces , yes!