So McDonalds is being blamed for obesity in America. Well most fast food or all should be honestly. But in the end it is the consumer’s choice of where to go and what to eat. I will say there was apoint in my life where a double quarter pounder was the best thing in the world. Not anymore. Part of the draw for me was it was something I grew up with. When little I used to get the ocasional happy meal with toy and food. This gets ingrained in a kid’s head that this can make you happy. Then we grow up into adults making the wrong choices about it because it made us happy as kids.
But the people of Santa Clara county, California are taking matters into their own hands. I hope this goes through honestly. http://www.asylum.com/2010/06/01/santa-clara-california-bans-mcdonalds-happy-meal-toys/
Losing It! 
Comments
If McDonalds was the only choice for us, then it WOULD be there fault but as there are countless choices, we have only ourselves to blame if we go there. McDonalds is my absolute favorite, always has been. When I started my weigh loss journey a couple years ago, I stopped McDonalds and the other restaurats and haven’t had a cheeseburger from there since. I’ve had the occasional grilled chicken but rarely. The hamburgers I can never go back to and never want to. Well, sometimes I want to but I won’t.
And yes, for kids, McDonalds is all about the toy. 😦
That is the problem anymore. The kids go and get the toy and a meal with it. Now I do know they sell the toy seperatly, but who is going to go to McD’s just for the toy and not get food. It’s a friggin catch 22.
I think McDonald’s should offer an extremely healthy alternative and that is the only way you get the toy. So kids learn to eat healthy not the crap they serve. But then again Chick-fil-a is healthyish for fast food. They also offer a similar thing for kids so that might be the alternative for those parents on the go.
I am kind of torn on this subject – I mean, its the parents who purchase the Happy Meals, not the 3-year olds!
All I know is that McDonald’s was an occasional treat for my daughter when she was little – like 4 times a year. She’s a healthy weight today too!
Thanks for the link Dave, I’ll check it out!
I totally know what you mean about it being “ingrained.” Growing up – the $1 double cheeseburgers at McDonald’s were always lunch after church on Sundays…but I wasn’t obese (per the BMI I’ve always been overweight, but, I’ve also ran marathons, have pristine bloodwork, etc…don’t get me started on the BMI scale 🙂 ). It is totally up to the parents to make good choices for their kids and not just pack them full of McDonald’s, no fruits/veggies, and let them sit in front of the TV all day.
I will say that I’m totally anti-McDonald’s now after reading about the ingredients in their “all beef patties” and fries (28+ ingredients…what?!?!) but I think that people can enjoy anything in moderation.
While I understand the need to blame companies for providing unhealthy choices, we have to take our own responsibility. The idea that someone had for making an ultra healthy meal you have to get to get a treat, that’s not the responsibility of McDonalds.
That’s the parents’ job. I’m on a weight loss journey too, but hate that the business world gets blamed for everything. Will we be next blaming Sony, and Samsung, and RCA for making tvs and vcrs, and dvrs that we park our butts in front of, instead of running out and playing? Will we next blame the cable companies, and movie companies?
Deep down we have to realize that every single one of us is SINGULARLY responsible for his/her own obesity. (Sure there are medical reasons, I don’t mean that) and until a certain age I do blame parents for the state of their children, but we CANNOT blame a business that we CHOOSE to go to. I don’t care how cool the toy is, the parent can say no. Or as many have said, you can do it moderation. a Happy Meal every now and then is not the best choice, but it’s ok.
In my own battles I’ve struggled with blaming my parents for my situation. (I still occasionally fall into it) but I know that if I want to make a real difference in MY life and those around me, I have to take responsibility for my OWN choices. It’s my car that drives to McDonalds, it’s my money that is handed to the drive thru attendant. No one is holding me hostage and forcing me to go there! As long as we see ourselves as victims of corporate America, commercials, and advertising, we will NEVER overcome the obesity problem — because we are in denial as to what it really is.
Ok sorry, just had to get that out. 🙂