McDonalds Takes Major Step In Helping Customers Make More Informed Nutritional Choices

It’s no secret if you read my blog that my family and I enjoy McDonald’s from time to time.  In fact, I plan on stopping for an Oatmeal on the way to my son’s preschool this morning as I just can’t seem to get enough of it.  Over the past several years it has been a goal of McDonald’s to add healthier menu items to their options, and also to provide customers with the tools they need to make informed nutritional choices.

In July I attended EVO Conference on a sponsorship from McDonald’s and was excited to see while I was there how much of an effort they had made.  This under 600 calorie menu choice board was a big eye opener for me.  I never knew I could mix and match so much food and still come out with a reasonable and healthy caloric intake for me and my family.

Today McDonald’s President Jan Fields announced that, starting next week, the company will list calorie information on restaurant and drive-thru menus nationwide to further inform and help customers and employees make nutrition-minded choices.  McDonald’s published its first-ever nutrition progress report and revealed several 2013 menu innovations in test that will include recommended food groups from the United States Department of Agriculture’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans reflected in the messages supporting MyPlate.

These are the latest in a series of actions to support McDonald’s commitments to offer improved nutrition choices announced July 2011.   The comprehensive plan aims to help customers and employees make informed nutrition whether visiting McDonalds or eating elsewhere.

This step is only one of many the McDonald’s has been already implementing or plans to implement soon.

• This past summer McDonald’s introduced a “Favorites Under 400” menu that highlights the calorie information for customer’s favorite foods and beverages to help put calorie
  counts in better context.
• Late last year McDonald’s launched a Mobile App that provides customers with on-the-go nutrition information, as well as an updated online meal-builder that offers customizable information.
• McDonald’s new Happy Meal launched in March of 2012 and now automatically includes Apple Slices and a kids-size fry. Fat-free chocolate milk was also added as an additional beverage choice.
• Later this fall, approximately 750,000 employees working in McDonald’s and franchise restaurants in the U.S. will be introduced to a voluntary nutrition e-learning program. The program will help build employee’s knowledge of calories, nutrition, and McDonald’s offerings.

More Nutritional Menu Choices

Also announced today was the 2013 Menu Test to include more recommended food groups.  McDonald’s plans on testing foods that would increase the number of wholesome menu choices for it’s consumers.

• More seasonal fruit and vegetables options, such as blueberries and cucumbers, during peak seasons.
• Additional produce side options and grilled chicken choices for Happy Meals.
• The McWrap, inspired by McDonald’s Europe, features fresh vegetables and is available in three flavors – Chicken & Bacon, Sweet Chili Chicken, and Chicken & Ranch – starting at 350 calories.
• New breakfast choices, including an egg-white breakfast sandwich on an English muffin made with 8 grams of whole grain.

As a mother who enjoys taking her family to McDonald’s on occasion, I really like all the efforts they are putting into their nutritional programs.  Does this mean that you can now eat McDonald’s every single day?  I wouldn’t personally advise it.  You still have to pay attention, as with every food choice you make, to what you are putting into your body and your children’s bodies.  These changes, however, allow for parents to make better choices quicker with the information available right in front of them on every menu.

For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com or follow McDonald’s on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook for updates on our business, promotions and menu items.

Disclosure:  I was not asked to write this post, and I was not compensated in any way to share this post.  As a mother who believes in balance, nutrition, and enjoying food, I felt that this was something that deserved to be shared with my readers.  I respect all opinions, and I welcome a healthy conversation.  Please be respectful with your comments.

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Emily

Emily is a wife & mom living in Las Vegas. The owner and writer at Our Knight Life, Emily loves sharing her two adorable boys and journey through motherhood. Emily has run four half marathons to date and is always training for her next big race. She also enjoys creating healthy recipes for her family and sharing family friendly product reviews.

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