Consider the Source: Could McDonald's Be Good For Your Kids?
By: Jen Mueller,
SparkPeople Blogger
11/28/2008 4:46 PM
: 172 comments
McDonald's has launched a new kind of ad campaign, this time targeting moms . The idea is to promote some of the more positive aspects of foods like French fries and Egg McMuffins. Skeptical? I know I was……
McDonald's has recruited mothers to go behind the scenes of the company's operations, meet senior executives and then communicate what they see via the Web, along with appearing in video of their travels. It's called the Quality Correspondents Program, with the idea that if the company can show that they serve quality food and offer healthy options, more moms will be likely to opt for these foods for their families.
The company is trying to be very open with their food practices. For example, they took some volunteers to a slaughterhouse to demonstrate that their chickens are treated humanely, and that their chicken nuggets are made from real chicken. If they can prove that food safety and quality are a top priority, the thinking is that McDonald's can overcome the image that it's generally unhealthy to eat their food. They are also trying to highlight some of the hidden nutritional benefits of their foods. For example, one discussion touts the benefits of French fries. Although they are cooked in grease, potatoes are a good source of fiber and potassium. Are you convinced?
McDonald's is featuring the moms with diaries and video on its Web site. The idea is that if these moms (who want the best for their families, just like you) are convinced that this is quality food, maybe you'll change your mind, too.
Some of their other demonstrations include showing that salads are prepared fresh with bagged lettuce, Egg McMuffins are made with real eggs (although their scrambled eggs are made with liquid eggs) and a tour of the bun bakery where food safety standards are a number one priority.
I think this program is an interesting idea and a good way to help McDonald's improve their image. I'm sure some people will be convinced to rethink their negative attitude towards McDonald's. Personally, it doesn't change much for me. When choosing healthy foods for my family, I'll still take a baked sweet potato over French fries and grilled chicken over chicken nuggets any day.
What do you think?
McDonald's has recruited mothers to go behind the scenes of the company's operations, meet senior executives and then communicate what they see via the Web, along with appearing in video of their travels. It's called the Quality Correspondents Program, with the idea that if the company can show that they serve quality food and offer healthy options, more moms will be likely to opt for these foods for their families.
The company is trying to be very open with their food practices. For example, they took some volunteers to a slaughterhouse to demonstrate that their chickens are treated humanely, and that their chicken nuggets are made from real chicken. If they can prove that food safety and quality are a top priority, the thinking is that McDonald's can overcome the image that it's generally unhealthy to eat their food. They are also trying to highlight some of the hidden nutritional benefits of their foods. For example, one discussion touts the benefits of French fries. Although they are cooked in grease, potatoes are a good source of fiber and potassium. Are you convinced?
McDonald's is featuring the moms with diaries and video on its Web site. The idea is that if these moms (who want the best for their families, just like you) are convinced that this is quality food, maybe you'll change your mind, too.
Some of their other demonstrations include showing that salads are prepared fresh with bagged lettuce, Egg McMuffins are made with real eggs (although their scrambled eggs are made with liquid eggs) and a tour of the bun bakery where food safety standards are a number one priority.
I think this program is an interesting idea and a good way to help McDonald's improve their image. I'm sure some people will be convinced to rethink their negative attitude towards McDonald's. Personally, it doesn't change much for me. When choosing healthy foods for my family, I'll still take a baked sweet potato over French fries and grilled chicken over chicken nuggets any day.
What do you think?
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Comments
In Fort McMurray, the salad is never fresh, I have had the salad and it was full of water in the bottom..twice! They also never wear hair nets, and I see the managers handle money then go in the kitchen and make food with out washing their hands or putting on gloves.
So no...I'm turned off about everything. When you exercise and eat healthy everything else is better, I am more happy and active. I would never change that. - 1/2/2011 1:49:28 PM
I grew up poor, honest, clean and educated as well as homeless, and I think if people want to be this critical, so ready to judge when you never step foot inside a MacDonalds or a wal-Mart. I feel sorry for you that is just avoiding the population divide. Those that have and can get by and those who are unemployed, not well off and need a place like MacDonalds where they can take their kids for some fun and decent meals at an affordable price if they choose wisely from the offerings.
Take your kids to the fancy high end places but in my opinion dont knock it unless you have HONESTLY tried it. Some of us were raised on hand outs and hand me downs but most of us are honest and hardworking and need to watch where we spend to keep the family fed and have some happy meals. Pat in Maine. - 8/26/2010 11:56:06 AM
To use a comparison from project management: you can have food healthy, cheap, or fast. Choose any two. - 6/29/2010 8:35:17 AM
but i find it good to know the rumors that Mcdonalds uses kangaroo meat, and processed chicken is false.. - 6/24/2010 2:26:56 PM
McDonald's is nasty. Period. My kids have not eaten there in 2 years (my youngest is almost 3, so she might have had fries when we went there last). I have no desire to even step foot into a McDonald's to see if they've changed, but since they're about profit I doubt they have.
If you think that McDonald's is a viable option then I implore you to watch "Super Size Me". - 6/23/2010 5:38:16 PM
I have nothing against McDonalds and you can eat healthy there but it takes work. Whenever I have to eat fast you accept a few things.
1. you have to modify alot of choices.
2. you might end up with a wacky variety of foods.
3. going to be atleast a little bit higher than what you have at home
4. they might think you are weird :-)
Grilled Ranch SnackWrap (no sauce) = about 210 calories.
Side Salad (no dressing)= 20 calories
Fruit'n Yogurt Parfait (no granola)= 130 calories
Apple Dippers (no caramel)= 35 calories
Total= 395 calories.
Even if they mess up a few aspects and a few calories get added you still ate pretty good for fast food. But this is wiping out the menu for good healthy food that isn't high in fat, satfat, or sodium. There are other lower calorie foods but those sandwiches can get high sodium! - 3/26/2010 9:05:54 PM
I don't care for fast food anymore and we used to eat it at least once a week.
When I was a kid (and I bet most of you too) we would eat "fast food" rarely, and when we did it was a special treat. In general, eating out has become a substitute for busy families.
We all know the realities of eating out, its just not that healthy in general. Period.
- 3/11/2010 8:52:16 PM
I do, however, appreciate a business that's open about it's practices and nutritional information. I think that the change in the last year or so that has required all restaurants to share nutritional info has been an eye opener. - 11/10/2009 1:37:18 PM
They did the old bait and switch!
I am sure they did not visit the chemical refineries that produce all the preservatives, flavor enhancers, and stabilizers they add to that "humanly raised chicken" in their nuggets.
The food has very high fat contents, is fried, and contains way too many chemicals and additive fillers.
- 4/19/2009 11:07:32 AM
But French Fries are just about most unhealthy thing anybody could ever eat - if you want to break your FF addiction - just google on "acrylamide" (a carcinogen that's created when starchy foods are fried) - 2/9/2009 1:38:09 PM
Feeding your kids at McDonalds is child abuse! - 2/6/2009 8:47:25 AM
But seriously, if one is going to eat at McDonald's, why buy a salad when you can make one for free at home?
However, too many people these days are relying on such things. When I was a kid, eating out once or twice a month was a big deal and a reward for a good report card or something. These days it's a way of life instead of a home cooked meal around the table. But that's another discussion entirely. - 2/5/2009 11:32:15 PM
So, I give them credit for making an effort. Of course, I could also accuse them of using the same tactics the HFCS syrup lobbyiests are using. Have you seen the pro-HFCS commercials ?
Goodness, talk about blatant lying to the public !
Regardless, if McDonalds is trying to make an effort to give patrons some healthier options, then let's give them credit for that.
- 2/5/2009 10:04:30 AM
The fruit and yogurt parfaits are good, very little fat or sodium, only $1! The side salad, apples, fruit and walnut salads, the brewed tea, 2% millk. For a big treat once in awhile..
B-A-L-A-N-C-E!
Water is good for me too, but not ten gallons at a sitting!! Another thing to remember, when you go to McDonalds, you can order your fries and your meat without salt!! You can get your burger without a bun, they will serve it in a side salad bowl on a bed of lettuce! Since you have your mouth open already to order and eat, just keep it open long enough to ask for the above things!!
There are no magnets to drag our vehicles towards these buildings. They cannot make me order something at gunpoint. Since we are changing our lifestyles, make this another one on the list! Consider these meals a treat, a little thing to be naughty once in awhile!!
"All things in moderation"! Something for me to work on...
- 1/23/2009 8:26:29 PM
I agree moderation is the key. No one says you can't eat a pizza, just don't eat the whole thing.. One won't kill you.. That way you don't crave for something and end up overeating when you get your hands on it... :) - 1/23/2009 7:48:01 PM
McDonald's isn't doing anything illegal or immoral in their marketing. They're one of the few places that put the nutritional information on your burger wrapper and fries container - go to a "fancy" restaurant and see how much crap is put into your expensive dinner. I have been quite upset to discover how bad the food can be at nicer restarants too, and you have to go online to find that out.
Everything in moderation. IMHO refusing to let kids go somewhere ever is just as bad as using food as a reward. It sets them up to want to go there all the more. When they're older they'll end up not knowing how to moderate their intake because they're not prepared to battle all the constant junk food being thrown in their face. Kind of like teaching your kids to budget money at a young age - we need to educate them on how to budget their nutrition, if they want McD's for dinner they have to know how to alter their meals the rest of the day to make up for it - and not supersize...LOL! - 1/23/2009 3:42:28 PM
but i havent eaten it in 4 months! i havent really eaten any fast food because its so bad for me. but we ate mcdonalds growing up && our family was never obese. my parents made sure we were active, && i dont see anything wrong w/having chicken nuggets and fries every now and then.
i know i would feel terribly guilty about going to mcdonalds these days and it would make me feel like poop....but most fried foods do this to me.
i will take my kids to mcdonalds, it was one of my favorite places to eat while growing up if that sounds silly! haha - 1/23/2009 3:23:52 PM
I like the comment warning if you don't allow your kids to eat their now when they're on their own they may eat out there a lot more often.
A trip every now and then as a treat, while teaching your kids what is healthy and what is not, is a much better way to live.
A LOT of things we eat and splurge on from time to time can be fattening, but does that mean I have to live on lettuce and tofu?
Balance.. moderation.. all of that is the most important thing. - 1/23/2009 1:17:15 PM
fyi - My kitchen is 100% healthy 97% of the time. I've been at it a long time. - 12/6/2008 4:52:22 AM
Knowing this, I have to stay away form that wonderful place. Lets get real, we don't go there because it is wholesome- it is fast, good & cheap.
STAY WAY..It is a marketing ploy on an obese society! - 12/3/2008 10:44:52 AM
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