As parents we always want the best for our children and that includes what they put in their tummies. We’ve been fortunate in that five year old POD is willing to give the majority of foods a try. These days it’s all about encouraging her to make good choices and while she does have treats, they’re usually reward or occasion based.
In the past I’d probably have put McDonald’s into the visit every couple of months category. While POD loves Happy Meals, there’s always the perception that they’re not especially healthy. But time moves on and so has McDonald’s. They’ve made a number of changes to the Happy Meal menu that we were completely unaware of. Like reducing the level of salt in a Happy Meal by 47%* and the saturated fat in the cooking oil is down 83%*.
They’ve made a number of positive reformulations to their menu too. Instead of having a fizzy drink with your Happy Meal, you can choose a Fruit Shoot, Buxton water or organic milk instead. Mostly importantly though, you can make better food choices – like swapping out your fries and having carrot sticks or a fruit bag instead. Yes really!
McDonald’s kindly sent us a huge box so we could get to grips with all things Happy Meal. As well as the food choices, we were sent a selection of children’s books. As it turns out McDonald’s has distributed some 55 million books* in their Happy Meals over recent years. Happy Readers is their long-term commitment to improving what children put in their heads. You even receive a £1 book voucher on the side of a Happy Meal that you can redeem in WHSmith. Or if you prefer you can download a free eBook from Kobo.
POD wasn’t around when the unboxing took place but she was thrilled to discover the Trolls are coming to Happy Meals. You’ll soon be able to get your very own Troll, Troll activity book and Troll stickers. As well as enjoy the colouring sheets in McDonald’s restaurants. What with all the changes in the food options available, this is a win win for us.
We made a film about Happy Meals so you know what to expect next time you visit McDonald’s. There’s yours truly doing a quick unboxing followed by what is certainly the main event – five year old POD putting their new menu to the test. Who knew she’d love video so much, she’d use it for an impromptu sing song about carrots. And yes the restaurant was open as usual!
We had a great time discovering the changes McDonald’s has made to its Happy Meals. Having devoured her chicken McNuggets, a fruit bag AND carrot sticks, we ended up staying longer to do some colouring. She’s itching to go back when the Trolls arrive in Happy Meals and who can blame her. We honestly had the best time and were so pleasantly surprised.
If you want to find out more yourself, do join the BritMums #GoodToKnow Twitter chat sponsored by McDonald’s. Taking place on Tuesday 25th October between 13:00 and 14:00 GMT, there will be tips and ideas for encouraging kids to make better food choices. What’s more ten lucky winners will each win a £25 shopping voucher. Check out this BritMums post to find out more.
Also, do check out this fab film by Barry Lewis from My Virgin Kitchen who recently spent a day with McDonald’s learning how their fries and Chicken McNuggets are made. Barry is always great to watch so do check it out. You can learn how to make your own version of McDonald’s fries and nuggets at home too!
Disclaimer: I’m working with McDonald’s and BritMums in a paid relationship to challenge misconceptions about what’s in a Happy Meal and about the changes McDonald’s has made across its menu over the last 15 years. Find out more here.
* Salt based on Chicken McNuggets, Fries and a Fruit Shoot now and in 2003. Saturated fat based on changes to McDonald’s restaurant cooking oil between 1992 and 2010. Books based on annual Happy Meal book promotions since 2012. Happy Meals are served after 10:30am.
I think McDonalds have really upped their game in recent years (definitely since I have been a fairly regular visitor with children!). It is good there is a healthy alternative as children don’t always want chips. My eldest doesn’t like fries and he prefers the fruit or carrots. They love the milkshakes though which I am sure are loaded with sugar 🙂
That’s fabulous your youngest prefers fruit or carrots Louise! McDonald’s has changed so much – my daughter loved having a fruit bag and carrots instead of fries albeit not together. We had no idea their chicken products were 100% chicken breast either.
I didn’t realise that the food had improved/become healthier, but that can only be a good thing. Love the activity books and toys too.
It’s great isn’t it Sarah. McDonald’s has made some really positive changes. From the salt and sat fat to the choices available with fruit bags and carrots. My daughter doesn’t like fizzy drinks (yet!) but it’s great to have Fruit Shoot, water or organic milk as alternatives.
It can only be a good thing to improve their offerings for kids. The European happy meals have a much healthier offering. But I think it really is down to people wanting more of a choice. My boys are too big for happy meals now, but would still like a healthier option
You’re so right Jen, it’s all about choice these days. Their fries are great but it’s nice to be able to swap them out for something healthier. And the drinks too. POD loves the books they have in Happy Meals too, we were reading one at bedtime only a day or so ago.
My girls will be very pleased to hear the Trolls are coming to happy meals. they love that film and Miss M always swaps her fries for melon when they have it available, yum! Mich x
Oh my goodness Michelle, I’m not surprised – the Trolls are awesome. We’ve been watching the trailer for months so we had to see it as soon as it came out. Such a great feel good movie with a superb soundtrack. We know have a Poppy troll at home – she has a pink wig! Do go and see the film if you haven’t already. McDonald’s has a Troll and activity book with stickers coming. It’s great to hear Miss M is already swapping her fries with fruit – POD is a fan too. Apple and grape is her favourite X
Oh we haven’t had a happy meal here in ages and my kids are desperate for one!! That’s really good to know that they’ve lowered the salt level which has always been my main concern, I love that you can get books with them too, we’ve had some good reads from there in the past 🙂
Oh gosh do go Kate! That’s not something I thought I’d hear myself say but McDonald’s has made so many positive changes. Salt and saturated fat levels are down massively plus the chicken products are 100% chicken breast and the burgers 100% British or Irish beef. We really enjoyed our time in McDonald’s – POD singing about carrots was probably most favoured although I’m totally biased obviously!
It is so great that they have all the healthy swaps and giving away books is fab too. x
It really is isn’t it Aby. I didn’t realise McDonald’s has given away 55 million books over the last 4 years. POD loves the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books too, they’re lots of fun 🙂
We had a McDonalds this week after a late day out for half term and I was inspired by reading this post to swap fruit shoot for milk, something I didn’t previously know you could do. I think McDonalds offers lots of great things – cleanliness, activities, nutritional and allergy information – and they are trying hard to move their food content, and image, forward, which is commendable. We are also on a mission to help kids eat healthily and behave well at mealtimes with a new treasure hunt themed dinner set called the Gotrovo Mealtime Treasure Hunt – we’ve developed it in consultation with a nutritional therapist so fingers crossed this too can start to make a difference.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment Jo, I’m glad our post inspired you to go to McDonald’s. It’s great to hear about your experience there, we felt the same – it had been a while since we’d been too. Such a change from the “olden days” don’t you think. It’s great to see them making such positive changes so we have more choice as parents. Your treasure hunt themed dinner set sounds amazing, I must have a look at that!
In our experience the fruit options at McDonalds was appalling quality, I’ve not been for years though so good to hear they’re improving.
Sorry to hear about your past experience Sonia. Do give McDonald’s a try again, we found the fruit bag (with apple and grapes) and the carrot sticks on par with the likes of Tesco and Sainsbury’s. Really fresh. We even brought two packs home and it was still great 24 hours later.
I love the idea of A healthy swap……just need to persuade the kids now
It could be your own personal challenge Kara. Instead of giving them fries you could opt for the fruit bag or carrot sticks! We ended up with both and POD scoffed the lot – and her nuggets! Good luck 🙂