Health News
by Madelyn Fernstrom
In the real world, when it comes to fast food, many families find it hard to ?just say no.? Now, a visit to McDonald?s provides some REAL change in their kids? meals as an authentic step to healthier eating. Starting in September, 2011, all kids? meals will contain a serving of sliced apples (1/4 cup ? a 1/2 serving) and a downsized fries (half of the present serving ? about 125 calories); fat free chocolate milk and 1% whole milk round out the selections. The small burger or chicken nuggets remain the same. You can even choose to skip the fries altogether, and opt for double apples.
While McDonald?s has offered sliced apples as an optional choice since 2004, most consumers did not select them. In fact, a poll showed that 88% of people ?were aware? of the fresh apple slices, but only 11% chose them. Now, with the apples as part of the meal, the hope is kids will eat them, along with the rest of the meal since they?re already there (more than half the battle!).
And don?t think that adults can?t enjoy this as well. A hamburger and the mini-fries, apple slices, and a low-fat milk weighs in at around 500 calories.
While fast-food should not be an automatic first choice for kids or adults, it?s sometimes easy and convenient. Now, at least one fast-food company makes healthier eating a lot easier ? and I?m hopeful that other companies will follow!
Looking for other fast food options? Try steering your family to SUBWAY, where healthy options for kids? and adults have been in place for years!
- Smart Snacking: Part 2
By Dr. Madelyn FernstromEarlier this week, I checked out the snacks at the mall and at the movies. Today I?ll take a look at what to eat at the airport and at sporting events. Remember that snacking is not a requirement for healthy eating. If you choose...
- Smart Snacking: Part One
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom It?s hard to make healthy foods choices when you?re running around, and don?t have time to preplan. In the perfect world, you?d be carrying a fruit, or small protein bar, or a small bag of nuts when you need a snack. In...
- "apple" Dippers
Do you make your kids get the Apple Dippers at McDonald?s instead of the french fries? I would choose a different battle for the day. The Apple Dippers seem like a good option, but have you ever noticed that the apples never turn brown? This is because...
- Eating On The Go
by Emilie Hunt and Angie Eshleman, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian, Sinai Hospital It?s no secret that the business of life can get in the way of our healthy eating habits. This may especially hold true if our schedule is pulled in many different directions...
- Eating Out With Kids
In recognition of National Nutrition Month, I'll be sharing some healthy eating posts through the rest of this month. Let's start with a look at eating out with kids. We parents all battle the temptation of settling for an unhealthy fast food...
Health News
A Happier Happy Meal
by Madelyn Fernstrom
While McDonald?s has offered sliced apples as an optional choice since 2004, most consumers did not select them. In fact, a poll showed that 88% of people ?were aware? of the fresh apple slices, but only 11% chose them. Now, with the apples as part of the meal, the hope is kids will eat them, along with the rest of the meal since they?re already there (more than half the battle!).
And don?t think that adults can?t enjoy this as well. A hamburger and the mini-fries, apple slices, and a low-fat milk weighs in at around 500 calories.
While fast-food should not be an automatic first choice for kids or adults, it?s sometimes easy and convenient. Now, at least one fast-food company makes healthier eating a lot easier ? and I?m hopeful that other companies will follow!
Looking for other fast food options? Try steering your family to SUBWAY, where healthy options for kids? and adults have been in place for years!
- Smart Snacking: Part 2
By Dr. Madelyn FernstromEarlier this week, I checked out the snacks at the mall and at the movies. Today I?ll take a look at what to eat at the airport and at sporting events. Remember that snacking is not a requirement for healthy eating. If you choose...
- Smart Snacking: Part One
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom It?s hard to make healthy foods choices when you?re running around, and don?t have time to preplan. In the perfect world, you?d be carrying a fruit, or small protein bar, or a small bag of nuts when you need a snack. In...
- "apple" Dippers
Do you make your kids get the Apple Dippers at McDonald?s instead of the french fries? I would choose a different battle for the day. The Apple Dippers seem like a good option, but have you ever noticed that the apples never turn brown? This is because...
- Eating On The Go
by Emilie Hunt and Angie Eshleman, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian, Sinai Hospital It?s no secret that the business of life can get in the way of our healthy eating habits. This may especially hold true if our schedule is pulled in many different directions...
- Eating Out With Kids
In recognition of National Nutrition Month, I'll be sharing some healthy eating posts through the rest of this month. Let's start with a look at eating out with kids. We parents all battle the temptation of settling for an unhealthy fast food...