The golden arches are about to undergo a healthy makeover.
Beginning in September, McDonald’s will begin rolling out a new, more nutritious Happy Meal. All kids’ combos will automatically include 1/4 cup of apples (half a serving) and a smaller serving of french fries—reduced from 2.4 ounces to 1.1 ounces, saving young diners a whopping 130 calories. Patrons also will be able to skip the fries altogether and opt for two servings of apple slices instead.
In 2004, McDonald’s added low-fat milk and apple slices with caramel sauce to its Happy Meal menu. The new changes, announced yesterday, eliminate the sugary dipping sauce and ensure that every child receives a portion of fruit. “I think it’s a great beginning,” says Keri Gans, RD, author of The Small Change Diet. “Putting fruit in a meal for children who aren’t eating enough produce is a positive move.”
Children should consume three to five servings of vegetables and two to four servings of fruit each day, but in most cases they aren’t coming close to that intake, according to Gans. In fact, though parents previously had the option of ordering apples with a Happy Meal, only 11% of customers requested fruit instead of fries. “I have a feeling that if fruit comes with the meal, kids will eat it,” says Gans.
