Happy Meals

When I was a kid... oh so many years ago... (not as many as some, way more than others)... kids rode their bikes.  Kids ran around outside.  Kids played games like tag and jailbreak and Marco Polo when the weather was warm.  Kids went sledding when the snow fell and roller skating on Fridays.  Kids were active.  Just like they ought to be, in my opinion. 

You know what else kids were not?  Obese.  Sure, there was always one or two kids in the class who had extra (sometimes alot of extra) weight on them.  Unfortunately, they often got the short end of the stick.  They were made fun of (which was not ok) and finding friends may or may not have been easy.  I felt for them.  Always have.  There's no reason to base your opinion on someone because of their weight.  They may or may not have an eating addiction or disorder.  They may have a medical condition or medication issues you are unaware of.  There is simply no reason to allow weight to tie into whether or not they are a worthy person for your friendship, caring and compassion.  The fact of the matter is... no matter what... no one is perfect and judging someone on their weight alone is shallow.  Simple as that. 

I have certainly battled with my weight a bit too.  It happens.  Especially as you get a little older but these days - there are problems with more and more children becoming larger than they should be.  I'm not talking about a judgement on the children per say.  I hate to throw it out there but much of it resides on the part of the parents.  Life has become more complicated, more difficult, harder to manage and nearly impossible to "get right" - not that anyone ever has or ever will.  Even saints are sinners.  Childhood obesity, I would say, is a symptom of a much larger problem... it is not a singular issue with one singular answer.  It is, however, an issue that can be fixed.  While the overarching problems that have produced this symptom are more complicated than a mere "do this, don't do that" attitude... when it comes to this... there are options, however.

In San Francisco, the city itself is considering a ban on Happy Meals.  Not only does this go against the rights of McDonald's to offer the Happy Meal... this goes against the rights of the people to make their own choices about what their children may or may not eat.  If you want McDonald's to get rid of something on the menu, complain to the company - boycott the company until they comply... do not take it to a vote by city officials (the government) to decide about whether or not you have a choice in your food stuffs.  This is creeping in eerily close to control of the people.  Yes... we have to pay for some of the medical issues down the road due to obesity.  But - there are ways to counteract that too.  And, that - also - can start in childhood.  Making the right choices - by choice - when it comes to maintaining your health - is the individual's responsibility - it is not the role of the government to make this decision for you.

As for parents - they need to be responsible for their children's health and well-being.  Granted, you cannot make them be responsible for it but to throw it on McDonald's as though it is their fault - because they offer a toy along with unhealthy food options (which taste damn good - especially to kids) is unfair and irresponsible in and of itself.  Happy Meals were first introduced in 1979... yet it has not been until relatively recently that the fast food chain has come under fire. 

There are multiple options that parents have to avoid the big, nasty trap that McDonald's has set for their children.  (note: sarcasm)

1) Tell your kids "no".  They will not be permanently scarred because they did not get a Happy Meal once a week (or more).
2) Tell your kids "no" but allow them once in a while, as a treat, to enjoy themselves a Happy Meal.  Make it clear this is a treat and not a way of life.
3) Explain the reasons that it should not be a way of life.  (ie. it's unhealthy to do all the time - and you love them enough to want to give them the best possible shot at living a long and healthy life) 
3) Realize that no one is forcing you to buy your kids fast food.  Make them a sandwich at home.  It may not be as quick and convenient but it'll be loads healthier.  (Though it's hard to imagine how much time it would take to throw together a PB&J as opposed to driving to your local fast food chain.)
4) When you teach your kids to make themselves a sandwich and to slice up some apples to go along with it, you are teaching them to fend for themselves, to be responsible for themselves and to actually be more active than just jumping in the car and going through the drive-thru.
5) Send them outside to play, to run around, to work off the food (no matter where it came from - your kitchen - or Burger King's kitchen).

Is it as simple as this?  Yes and no.  As I said, life is tough.  Balance, in this (as well as all areas) is key to a healthy life.  Teaching your kids this balance can be tricky but well worth it in the long-run.  Stand up for yourself - get the government out of our food choices and options by making good decisions on your own.  Don't wait for someone to take away your options before making the right choice.  If you want the choice of apples instead of fries: speak to the manager, write a letter - ask others to write letters too.  Boycott. Granted, if you think it doesn't matter how heavy your kids are - the right choice may be something different than what I think.  But - if that was the majority of what people think than we probably wouldn't be having the debate at all.