11 votes

US kids eating more fast food, healthier offerings not helping

7 comments

  1. [4]
    Akir
    Link
    The "healthier options" were never about making the meals more healthy, they were made to increase the restaurants' customer base. The McDonald's happy meal healthy choices are kind of a joke too,...

    The "healthier options" were never about making the meals more healthy, they were made to increase the restaurants' customer base.

    The McDonald's happy meal healthy choices are kind of a joke too, since it usually amounts to replacing greasy foods with sugary foods.

    8 votes
    1. [3]
      EscReality
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Getting a yogurt or apple slices, even if they are surgery sugary, still have to be better than french fries.

      Getting a yogurt or apple slices, even if they are surgery sugary, still have to be better than french fries.

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        Akir
        Link Parent
        I think a doctor would easily admit that french fries are much less invasive than surgery. 😸 Actually I looked up exactly what the choices were after I saw your response. You get a choice of apple...

        I think a doctor would easily admit that french fries are much less invasive than surgery. 😸

        Actually I looked up exactly what the choices were after I saw your response. You get a choice of apple slices or yogurt alongside a pre-set side of fries. Though you might be able to sub them out at the manager's discretion.

        But of course, the real issue is that the kids meal has a higher proportion of sugar than it should.

        2 votes
        1. EscReality
          Link Parent
          Lol, stupid autocorrect. Usually when I go with my son he gets yogurt and apple slices, no fries. The never seem to have an issue with us not getting fries (talking MDs here). But yes, kids meals...

          Lol, stupid autocorrect.

          Usually when I go with my son he gets yogurt and apple slices, no fries. The never seem to have an issue with us not getting fries (talking MDs here).

          But yes, kids meals should not have so much sugar.

  2. [3]
    Ellimist
    Link
    “In many cases, parents aren't being given the chance to make a decision, they are getting unhealthy sides and drinks automatically when they order a kids' meal," Harris said. "It should be the...

    “In many cases, parents aren't being given the chance to make a decision, they are getting unhealthy sides and drinks automatically when they order a kids' meal," Harris said. "It should be the other way around."

    For some reason this irritates me.

    The onus should be on the parents to be educated about the food choices available at whatever restaurant they choose.

    Minimum wage cashiers aren’t responsible for questioning parents food decisions when it comes to their kids. They aren’t paid enough to care

    8 votes
    1. Catt
      Link Parent
      I agree that the onus should be on the parents. However, I do think we, as a society, should shift our ideas of default a bit, so that a default meal comes with a side of apples instead of fries...

      I agree that the onus should be on the parents. However, I do think we, as a society, should shift our ideas of default a bit, so that a default meal comes with a side of apples instead of fries perhaps. I believe this is closer to what is suggested and not that cashiers question orders. It's more to do with normalizing a health choice instead of it being the "healthy" choice.

      6 votes
    2. EscReality
      Link Parent
      As a parent of a 4 year old I call BS. My son doesn't eat fast food very often, maybe once a month at most, if at all, and even then its if we have to drive to Denver or something (3 hours away)....

      As a parent of a 4 year old I call BS.

      My son doesn't eat fast food very often, maybe once a month at most, if at all, and even then its if we have to drive to Denver or something (3 hours away).

      But when he does, I am very aware of healthy options. Not only are they always clearly displayed on the menu, the cashiers always ask and give the available sides for the kids meals. But the burden of education is not on the cashiers, I as a parent go into the situation knowing the options that are available to my my son. Luckily my son loves yogurt and white milk so I never have to worry about him wanting the more unhealthy options.

      Anyone using ignorance as an excuse for not feeding their children appropriately are just lazy and unfit.

      4 votes