Happy Meals Makeover Healthy?

COMMENTARY | McDonald's recently announced that Happy Meals are undergoing a makeover, purportedly so children can have healthier choices. Starting in September, stores across the country will start rolling out the new meals, which will include a serving of apple slices along with a reduced-sized fry pouch, or parents could opt for another helping of fruit.

Consumers choice?

Although the company has been offering parents the choice of fries or apple slices for some time now, only 11 percent of consumers made that choice, according to The Associated Press. For this reason, I find it hard to believe the company is making this change because of the general public, a "commitment to offer improved nutrition choices" or, as Jan Fields, president of McDonald's USA, said in an ABC News video, "McDonald's will always try to do the right thing, and we know we can help make a difference in our communities."

Healthier? No way

No, I do not buy it. This is not an attempt to aid in the efforts against childhood obesity. Adding a few slices of apples whose main role is to shovel caramel sauce into a child's mouth is not helping. I do not see how eating a burger and fries followed by a mouthful of sticky sugar is "improved nutrition."

But then again, that is not McDonald's role. Regardless of the marketing campaigns, restaurants are not in every city to make a difference in children's lives or teach them how to eat healthy; they are there to make a profit. Parents should be teaching children about nutrition and how to scrutinize advertisements.

Why now, McDonald's?

In fact, the fast food giant may simply be trying to get ahead of the impending regulations that are set to restrict the marketing of junk food to children. An apple a day may keep the doctor away. It may also help keep regulators at bay. Fast food restaurants may soon be required to meet minimal nutritional standards. Cutting back on a few fries and adding a fruit puts McDonald's Happy Meals under the bar.

Parents' responsibility

It should come as no surprise the corporation's motives are not pure. Why should they be? Grocery stores carry junk in the checkout aisles. Those candy bars and chips are not there because the store cares about my 5-year-old's health or the waistline of a teen. One in three kids in the United States is overweight not because they have access to McDonald's. Boundaries are not evil. Keeping your kids healthy is not up to the big wigs at McDonald's.

But the company did come out looking socially responsible and avoiding any regulatory action while being able to promote Happy Meals with fresh vigor. At least someone comes out healthy, and happy, from this change!