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You know what helps make our kids more fit and healthy? When their McDonald's cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets come with apple slices, fries, and chocolate milk! Wait--apple slices? Aren't those an option? Nope. Kids, you're getting apple slices.
The fast food mega chain announced today they are taking heed the pressure from the public and health advocates and are reducing the fat and calories in their Happy Meals. Kids will now get a smaller serving of fries alongside their burger or nuggets, and can select fat free chocolate milk or 1% lowfat white milk for the purist parents. They'll also get the apple slices, or "carrots, raisins, pineapple slices or other fresh produce," says the Associated Press, though unless those polyester-sportin' McWorkers are slicing and bagging themselves, taking the word "fresh" with a grain of salt might be a good idea.
McDonald's says they hope the change, which should be implemented into all 14,000 locations by early 2012, will help kids get their daily intake of fresh produce. The burger, nuggets, fries, and candy milk, alas, still don't help out in that endeavor. First Lady Michelle Obama said in a statement today that when it comes to this new, 20% fewer calorie plan, she's lovin' it.
Handing junior a bag of apple slices (which, by the way, you can get in, like, a store, and skip the additives in those juicy little baggies) is actually a current PR trend for fast food chains. Recently Jack in the Box announced they were hosing kids out of the toy altogether, and replacing it with apple slices. Regardless, McDonald's still far outspends Jack on advertising targeted at kids.
Kids, don't worry, though. If you're getting a Happy Meal, you'll still get that fun, toy, too. Well, unless you live in San Francisco. Sadface.
