McDonald's Healthier Happy Meals a Good Move for Company, Kids

COMMENTARY | When McDonald's made the announcement that it would be trimming the portion size of fries and adding apple slices to Happy Meals, reaction varied. This parent sees it as a good move, not only in regard to my young son but youth the world over.

It's easy to think of McDonald's and other fast food outlets as simply an American phenomenon, but that's simply not the case. While some might have stores in a few other countries, McDonald's is truly worldwide. The menus do vary from country to country, but the Happy Meal is everywhere.

Here are three things I find interesting in relation to the chain's decision

The changes have been in the works for two years?

When I read that, according to McDonald's, the decision to lessen the fry allotment from 2.4 ounces to 1.1 and add apple slices to all Happy Meals has been two years in the making, I see a symptom of what is wrong with so much of what is done in America.

Nothing happens without dozens of study groups and countless reams of redundant and sometimes useless information being compiled. Changing the portions and adding apples was a good choice, but why did it take two years to make? No wonder we can't move quickly to alternative energy or full health care reform.

Fries aren't intrinsically evil

My 4-year-old son almost exclusively eats what I cook at home, grow in my garden, or find and buy at the produce stand. He has a low sodium, healthy diet, and fries are his treat. He is so picky with what he eats that it's a challenge to get him to eat out anywhere. Fries and fried rice are about all he eats much of out of the house.

He's above average in height and just below average in weight - tall and a little thin, but healthy. Fries are one of the calorie-adds I use for his diet, along with olive oil added to pasta dishes, extra butter in his oatmeal, and other things. Fries and ice cream are a treat, as he doesn't even like candy.

The decision to eat healthy comes from home, not McDonald's

My son has sensitivity issues, and it's hard to get him to vary too far from his comfort foods. We travel a lot and have to pack food and drink for him or be prepared to find what he can eat. The bottom line, it takes work. McDonald's should be applauded, but ultimately the diet framework must come from home.

Let's be honest: America has a childhood obesity problem largely because America has an adult obesity problem. Sound eating choices everyday are what families need to make, and allow themselves the Happy Meal or other splurges - just don't make them dietary staples.