"Companies like McDonald's play a powerful role in shaping the culture and environment that influences the health-related behaviors of young people," said Howell Wechsler, chief executive of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, an organization set up by the Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association.
While this statement is a sad commentary on the state of our collective health, it's unfortunately a true one. So I guess I should be commending this organization and others - as well as McDonald's - for taking some action... McDonald's will apparently stop marketing some (operative word here?) of its less nutritional options to kids, and will be offering fruits and vegetables in many (operative word here?) of its adult menu combinations. Not everywhere, mind you, and the roll-out will not be complete for another seven years. But a step in the right direction? Maybe.
The whole thing just seems sort of ridiculous to me.
If you're the type of person who's looking for something healthy, McDonald's isn't likely where you'll find yourself. And if you're a healthy person actually at a McDonald's, it's likely because you're just craving a little once-in-a-blue-moon treat - like me at nine weeks pregnant, wolfing down a quarter pounder with cheese before the car had even cleared the drive-thru window. If someone had confronted me with a veggie and fruit "option" at that point, making me think twice about my uncontrollable need for salty fries, it would not have been pretty.
At least those who frequent McDonald's will be exposed to the better options consistently and therefore maybe the message will start to sink in (that's where McDonald's "powerful role in shaping the culture and environment that influences health-related behaviors of young people" kicks in.) But don't be fooled. Those who might be impressionable are probably the same ones opting for the Egg White Delight Muffin, thinking they're choosing a healthy alternative. After all, this is how it's marketed:
But in reality, just looking at the ingredient list for this could send you straight to the hospital. If you're not in the mood to click another link, check out how just the egg white alone is prepared.
It's too easy to be fooled, even for the smartest among us. (Have you ever bought something at the grocery store thinking it was fine, only to turn the package over at home to find it's anything but fine? If you haven't, try it.) Especially when you really want to think you're being good. McDonald's knows this. And unfortunately they are in very good company. Lotsa lipsticks. Lotsa pigs.
If we all live a little more suspiciously when it comes to food, we can start to chip away at the influence these pigs have over our health.
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