Day 73: Enjoy McDonald's

I read an interesting article today.  The premise was simple: Could Fast Food Save Us?

The author compared some of the meals that he eat at trendy healthy farm fresh restaurants to McDonald’s and actually visits McDonald’s headquarters and has a discussion with their head chief. Of the more fascinating things that I found in the article was the breakdown of calories of the supposed “Healthy” food to the junk food. The healthier food had more calories than the junk food.   

In one of the examples that he used was the good ole’ fashion smoothie.  His 100% pure organic fruit smoothie had at one place had roughly 300 calories.  He then had a smoothie from a vegan restrauant that to paraphrase his words, it was the color of grass and tasted like bitter celery, had over 250 calories and he couldn’t finish it because it was nasty.  Finally he had the best smoothie of the three.  The first two cost well over $5 while the last one was only $2 and some change.  Calorie wise it was right at 200 per serving and the real kicker was that it came from McDonald’s. 

Then there was the conversation he had with the McDonald’s nutritionist.  Does anyone remember the McLean?  It was McDonald’s attempt to offer a healthy hamburger choice.  It had less calories and less fat than any other hamburger on their menu and it was also the worst selling product they ever offered. 

Side rant:  Anyone remember the McDLT. This was my favorite hamburger from McDonald’s.  If you remember it kept the hot side hot and the cold side cold.  You were free to put your own condiments on it and you had to finish assembling it yourself.  It was awesome and it also failed.  Side rant end.

The McLean failed but McDonald’s marketing learned a very important lesson:  No one likes what is supposed to be good for them.  With that lesson in mind McDonald’s, while unknown to the public, continues to strive to make its products healthier and reduce the calories. 

Some of the things they have done is incorporate more whole grains into their breads and find ways to cut fats from their meals.  They offer healthier choices to their menu like a yogurt parfait and apple slices.  Now when they add healthy choice options they never, NEVER, mention that it is healthier out of fear that it will kill sales. 

In a nutshell that was the article.  The poor in this country tend to be more obese and they tend to eat more fast food.  Instead of vilifying fast food we should encourage them to find ways to make their food healthier.  Not everyone can afford to drink, nor would they necessarily want, a $9 wheat grass smoothie so we should encourage options that they would purchase be made healthier. 

Some people vilify all fast food but it is unrealistic to think that all the suddenly everyone is going to eat completely healthy and organic.  If fast food chains can cut 100 calories from one of their most popular items it is a start. 

Personally, about once a year I get a craving for a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese and a large Fry.  I eat it, it makes me happy, I feel sick for a few hours, and life goes on.

Daily Recap:

Matt: 30 minute jog. Same as usual.

Kelly: TBD