I heard this one the radio the other day, but I thought it was a joke. Apparantly, it's not. Burger King is looking into ways to become more nutrious for kids under 12. This includes flamed boiled chicken and apple slices resembling french fries. They're also planning to cut advertisement. They will now aim their ads to kids meals that have 560 calories or less.
My thoughts on this?
I mean, when you go to places like McDonalds or Burger King, wouldn't you assume that you're eating unhealthy food? And, Burger King's new mission is to inform parents better of this? I think it's the parents who need to step up and do something to begin with. Do research and find out what is in the food their kid's eat. They need to start early on the right track with nutrition. Like my health teacher said, start early, because if you don't it will be too hard to change later on.
I honestly hope it works. The world is filled with disgusting food that has no nutritional value for you. It's time someone stepped up to the plate. And, I think McDonalds is too embarassed to since that film came out called Super Size Me, which seemingly changed America's view on fast food forever. Or at least my view.
But, will this stragety even work? Are kids too brainwashed into eating chicken nuggets that contain no real chicken? Could they be programed to eat BK Fresh Apple Fries? Have they even heard of apples?
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/09/12/burgerking.kids.ap/index.html
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I, personally, would assume that when I eat at McDonald's or Burger King I am eating unhealthy food. But in this litigious country, one would assume that if you ordered a hot cup of coffee and you spilled it in your lap, it would burn you. We didn't know that one could sue because the coffee wasn't labeled "Hot".
Yours in Crisis,
ER Adam
As a former of employee of the BK Lounge, I have pretty much been put off fast food for life. But in BK's defense, it was one of the first fast food joints (if not the first) to introduce a veggie burger, and this is definitely progress in the right direction. I mean, 560 calories is a LOT for a kid still, & it's all PR, too, but this is something, I guess. Our obsession with convenience is the underlying problem, not how healthy or unhealthy fast food is.
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ce.apocryphalpublishing.com
I know what you mean, we do assume that we are eating unhealthy food. But, alot of adults believe that if they eat the salads that are offered, they are eating something healthier. When really it is just as bad. So, for them to aim at 560 or less...well 560 is still completely outraegous, that is way more than necessary for a meal that barely fills you up. I think if parents are concerned, they shouldn't be eating there in the first place.
I really liked your view on this topic, it was very strong and thorough.
Unfortunately Super Size me didn't change everyone's view on fast food. My mom eats McDonald's every single day for lunch. Every day. No matter what I tell her about the food she eats, she just gets exasperated and tells me to be quiet. And I'm sure she is not the only parent out there like this. My brother is morbidly obese and she buys him all the Burger King and ice cream he wants. I think if parents like her aren't going to step up to the plate, then it is nice for the fast food companies to at least try and make a change. Obesity is becoming a big problem, and obviously there are parents who just don't care at all, so if the media at least tries, maybe it will make a difference in some kids' lives. I hope so anyway. Oh, and 560 calories for a kids meal is still ridiculous. I can't imagine what they are now....
I didn't expect a big change in people's views because of Super Size me. But, like I said, it did change my view on it. From what I heard when talking to my friends and fellow students at school... most are aware of the problem thanks to the movie, but just don't care and will eat it anyway. there are a few that I know that will not walk into fast food resturants anymore.
Whoa. I cannot believe that 560 is considered good!
I don't eat any fast food, but regardless of if it was labeled "healthy" or "low fat" (ha) I would still think that any food I got from a fast food place was unhealthy.
It has been proven that there is a direct correlation between obesity and health problems caused by weight and income. Bottom line, people who are more educated make more money, more education means more informed eating descisions, more money means easier access to good health care, fitness centers, safer communities for children's activities, etc. So why not spend more time and money promotiong education and nutrition to those who need it the most, and at a young age. I don't actually feel that fast food is to blame at all other than the fact that kids like fancy toys and whatnot. But I'll be that if you took a lesson from Pavlov, you could train your kids to eat healthy with bribes of toys the same way fast food does.
Wait they only want to be healthy for kids under 12? What about everyone else?! Well at least they are trying....