Is McDonald's Actually Getting Healthy?
Wednesday January 7, 2004
McDonald's restaurants is attempting to revamp its image by launching a new campaign, starting in the NY/NJ/CT area. The campaign, called McDonald's Real Life Choices, shows consumers how to order their McDonald's menu items and stay on track, whether they're watching calories, fat or carbohydrates.
McDonald's restaurants will showcase posters and brochures featuring information on McDonald's Real Life Choices.
McDonald's worked with nutritionist and Pamela Smith, R.D., to develop the McDonald's Real Life Choices initiative. Using guidelines from the American Heart Association, Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health, among others, Smith assigned existing McDonald's menu items into three McDonald's Real Life Choices menu categories for customers "Watching Calories," "Watching Fat," and "Watching Carbohydrates."
"Eating at fast food restaurants is a part of real life for many but people often think they can't stay on track with their diets when they eat on the go," says Smith. "I teamed up with McDonald's to show consumers how to enjoy the McDonald's food they love, without compromising their diets."
Sample McDonald's Items Featured through McDonald's Real Life Choices "Watching Calories?"
Breakfast (300 calories or less): Egg McMuffin®, without butter or margarine
Lunch and Dinner (400 calories or less): 6 Piece Chicken McNuggets® made with white meat, with BBQ sauce, hot or honey mustard or Buffalo sauce, with side salad and half package Newman's Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
"Watching Fat?" Breakfast (less than 8 grams of fat): Snack Size Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait
Lunch and Dinner (less than 12 grams of fat): Chicken McGrill® Sandwich, without mayo, request Picante, BBQ or Buffalo sauce
"Watching Carbohydrates?"
Breakfast (less than 5 grams of carbohydrate): Double order of Scrambled Eggs
Lunch and Dinner (less than 7 grams carbohydrate): Quarter Pounder® without the bun and ketchup or the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with Newman's Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
"McDonald's is always looking for ways to provide customers with convenience, variety and value," said Ed Acre, McDonald's restaurant operator. "We created the McDonald's Real Life Choices program to make it easy for our customers to eat at McDonald's no matter what their lifestyle."
The McDonald's Real Life Choices materials also feature Pam Smith's tips for achieving a healthy lifestyle, including some easy ways to increase physical activity. Customers can log onto www.mcdonaldsnymetro.com for more information on McDonald's Real Life Choices.
The McDonald's Real Life Choices program is available at participating McDonald's restaurants in the New York area.
McDonald's worked with nutritionist and Pamela Smith, R.D., to develop the McDonald's Real Life Choices initiative. Using guidelines from the American Heart Association, Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health, among others, Smith assigned existing McDonald's menu items into three McDonald's Real Life Choices menu categories for customers "Watching Calories," "Watching Fat," and "Watching Carbohydrates."
"Eating at fast food restaurants is a part of real life for many but people often think they can't stay on track with their diets when they eat on the go," says Smith. "I teamed up with McDonald's to show consumers how to enjoy the McDonald's food they love, without compromising their diets."
Sample McDonald's Items Featured through McDonald's Real Life Choices "Watching Calories?"
Breakfast (300 calories or less): Egg McMuffin®, without butter or margarine
Lunch and Dinner (400 calories or less): 6 Piece Chicken McNuggets® made with white meat, with BBQ sauce, hot or honey mustard or Buffalo sauce, with side salad and half package Newman's Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
"Watching Fat?" Breakfast (less than 8 grams of fat): Snack Size Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait
Lunch and Dinner (less than 12 grams of fat): Chicken McGrill® Sandwich, without mayo, request Picante, BBQ or Buffalo sauce
"Watching Carbohydrates?"
Breakfast (less than 5 grams of carbohydrate): Double order of Scrambled Eggs
Lunch and Dinner (less than 7 grams carbohydrate): Quarter Pounder® without the bun and ketchup or the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with Newman's Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
"McDonald's is always looking for ways to provide customers with convenience, variety and value," said Ed Acre, McDonald's restaurant operator. "We created the McDonald's Real Life Choices program to make it easy for our customers to eat at McDonald's no matter what their lifestyle."
The McDonald's Real Life Choices materials also feature Pam Smith's tips for achieving a healthy lifestyle, including some easy ways to increase physical activity. Customers can log onto www.mcdonaldsnymetro.com for more information on McDonald's Real Life Choices.
The McDonald's Real Life Choices program is available at participating McDonald's restaurants in the New York area.
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Comments
The McDonalds in Fayetteville, NY offers only fries with it meals. This is not a Real Life Healthy choice for any of us.
I prefer other stores which offer apple dippers or Burger King which offers a side salad.