The Slimming Pool Weight Loss Blog: Hey, I was Eating That!
Friday, April 16, 2004
McDonald's: Eat Healthy Menu
Can you spell S T O O P I D? McDonald's today announced they'd be adding a cute new item to their menu: Adult Happy Meals. Oh, I can't wait to get mine! It's got a goodie inside, just like juniors only instead of some fun toy I get a cheap-o plastic pedometer. That's swell.
This idea is so flat it's a joke. If McDonald's is trying to bring healthy choices to their menus, they obviously don't have a clue what that means. You can opt to get your kids orange slices instead of French fries, or carrot sticks. Oh, that will go over well. You'll have kids screaming, mom's hollering and generally the McDonald's ambiance might leave something to be desired.
No, like 33-year-old Chuck Horton at a McDonald's in Garrisonville Va. said, "If I want to eat healthy, I'll eat at home. "I come to McDonald's for one reason: the fries. ... I think this healthy eating thing has gone too far." Amen to that.
His "gone too far" comment may be a little pre-mature though. The fast food chains haven't even begun to haul out their idiot ideas.
I'm anxiously awaiting those new "quick food" places that are sure to spring up. Places that offer whole grain breads, hearty soups (it's been so long since I've had a good hearty soup), steamed vegetables, crisp fresh salads with clean dressings on the side.
There's a growing movement to get back to good eating called "Slow Food." Started in Italy in response to the first McDonald's invading that country, the movement has become a beacon for those opposed to the idea of eating "fast food" as a lifestyle. I like this idea.
The argument is usually, "But I'm too busy to cook," and that can be true except when you take into consideration the time spent attending to your health since you didn't bother to feed yourself well. Did you know if you eat better you can actually exercise less and still stay in great shape? Do you still circle the parking lot to find a close space? Do you drive to the store that's less than 1/4 mile from your home? Do you have a riding lawn mower but less than half an acre of lawn? Do you pile things at the bottom of the stairs rather than take them up to "save a trip?" Do you take short cuts through buildings to save a few steps? All of these things are adding to the problem. Think slow. Take those few extra steps and cook dinner this weekend. You'll be glad you did.
