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McDonald's makes strides in better-for-you offerings
May 2, 2010
Quick-service chains remain a target for health advocates and legislators working to promote various ways to combat the country's obesity epidemic. Last week, Santa Clara County, Calif., passed an ordinance banning toys in QSR kids' meals that do not fit specific nutrition parameters. Now, San Francisco has started the process to draft its own ordinance, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
QSRs aren't taking the criticism lightly. For example, Burger King and McDonald's are both part of a voluntary program to limit advertising to children to meals that fit specific nutritional guidelines. And McDonald's in New Zealand recently partnered with Weight Watchers to post the organization's point values on several better-for-you menu items.
McDonald's has for several years taken the stance that its menu offers customers a range of choices and leaves it to them to make the choices to fit their nutritional lifestyle. Recently, the chain's U.S. director of nutrition, Cindy Goody, spoke to Viterbo University dietetic students outlining the number of improvements the company has made to its menu, the La Crosse, Wis., Tribune reports.
Improvements include:
- An increased focus on fruit, such as 100 percent fruit juice, Apple Dippers, fruit yogurt parfait and a Fruit and Walnut Salad
- The addition of snack wraps (which offer few calories as well as portability)
- Reduced the number of calories in kids' meals by almost half
- Testing a fruit and apple oatmeal with 280 calories and low in fat and sodium
From the story:
"We're always looking for products and ways to make sure our food fits into a balanced diet," Goody said. "We're aware and engaged in lowering sodium."
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