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Fast Food Gets Healthy
But does anyone go to McDonald’s for a salad?
By Rachel Yuen
It’s easy to point fingers at fast food chains. In 2002, a group of New York children and their parents filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s, claiming that the children’s addiction to McDonald’s had led to their obesity. Although the case was dismissed, companies like McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Subway have been aware of their image problems for years and it seems new efforts to change this image pop up in menus and commercials constantly.
In its early forms, “healthy” fast food was about as appetizing as chopped liver. Notable flops were McDonalds’ McLean Deluxe and Taco Bell’s Border Lites meals. In 2001, The New York Times reported that healthy fast food had difficulty generating profits. So the big chains have ramped up their efforts to convince us that healthy food can come from a drive-thru, be served in a box and still taste good.
McDonald’s:
For kids, McDonald’s advertises healthier “Happy Meals” with options that include Apple Dippers with low-fat caramel sauce, one-percent, low-fat white or chocolate milk and an apple juice box. They also offer five different salads on their menu and have partnered with the Produce for Better Health Foundation to help educate consumers about the importance of incorporating fruits and vegetables in kids’ daily meals and snacks.
Taco Bell:
Taco Bell launched its Fresco meals in 2003. The basic difference in this healthier option is that the sauce and cheese in regular menu items is replaced with “Fiesta Salsa”—a fresh blend of tomatoes, onions and cilantro. Ordering the Fresco version of an item like the steak Burrito Supreme will save you about 60 calories and six grams of fat. As for the taste, you’d have to try it to decide.
Subway:
Even the poster child for healthy fast food is offering an even healthier option: the Fresh Fit Meal. Customers can choose from 8 subs, each containing 6 grams of fat or fewer, and they can add a “better-for-you side,” like apples, raisins or baked chips. Subway is also pushing milk and bottled water as options to soda.