Ditching the drive thru

The new Happy Meal is making its debut across the land–and McDonald’s execs have muscle strain from patting themselves on the back.

McDonald’s has vowed to reduce added sugars, saturated fat, and calories in its food choices. And sodium will be reduced by an average 15 percent across the entire menu.

To help accomplish that goal, the new and “improved” Happy Meal now includes apple slices. And kids also get to choose another side–either more apple slices, or a new smaller-size French fries.

Hmmm…so on top of the carbs they’re already getting, they now get to choose between carbs and MORE carbs to go with it?

This definitely isn’t what I had in mind when I said above that it’s important to get kids involved in their food choices.

Because, really, the very best choice is not to go to McDonald’s at all.

I know it sounds like something that’s easier said than done. But this isn’t to say that you can’t enjoy a cheeseburger dinner with your kids. In fact, I’d be willing to bet you’d all enjoy it much more if you were eating thick, juicy, mouthwatering burgers that you grilled at home.

It’s really something that’s fun for the whole family. You can top them with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles… And don’t worry about the bun–kids get a big kick out of making lettuce wraps with their burgers.

Honestly, I know people who spend hours each week waiting in drive thru lines. Which isn’t just a waste of time, when you consider that burgers are some of the quickest, easiest meals to prepare at home. But it’s also a waste of an opportunity to do something healthy for (and with) your kids.


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