Community Corner

Parents Talk: What Do You Think of McDonald's Adding Fruit to Happy Meals?

Should more restaurants follow McDonald's lead by adding fruit to kids meals?

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Today's topic: Kids Meals at Fast Food Restaurants

Just this week,  announced it would more than halve the amount of French fries and add fruit to its popular children’s meal in an effort to reduce the overall calorie count by 20 percent, a New York Times report said.

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From the report:

But McDonald’s appeasement only went so far. A toy will still come with each Happy Meal despite criticism that the trinkets, often with tie-ins to movies like “Toy Story,” foster a powerful connection between children and the often calorie-laden meals.

While Happy Meals account for less than 10 percent of all McDonald’s sales, the signature box and its contents — first introduced in 1979 — have become a favorite target in recent years. Lawmakers and consumers have rallied around breaking that childhood link between toys and fast food, with the efforts increasing as Michelle Obama and national public health officials point to the estimated 17 percent rate of obesity among the nation’s youths. 

So we ask you, the parents: Are Happy Meals getting out of hand? Are you pleased with the fact that McDonald's is adding fruit to the meal? And should other fast food chains follow suit and also feature fruit as part of its kids meals?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Have a question for Parents Talk? Send them to Editor Brian Feldt at brianf@patch.com and we'll put those questions up for discussion in the coming weeks.


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