McDonald's offers healthy options

McDonald's is changing its ways to become a healthier choice for adults on the run. Happy meals, once known for keeping screaming children happy, are becoming a trend for adults too.

McDonald's is introducing an adult happy meal. The adult version will include a side salad, an exercise book and a pedometer to encourage walking.

Once known for its greasy french fries and other high-calorie foods, McDonald's is changing to a healthier approach to fast food.

McDonald's customers can go to mcdonalds.com and look under "Bag a McMeal," which will allow them to choose a meal and find its nutritional facts. McDonald's maintains its approach to a healthy lifestyle in three ways: menu choice, education and physical activity.

McDonald's has Exercise sponsorships with the Olympics and the high school All-American basketball and soccer teams.

Another addition to the McDonald's health craze will be a Webm site called Go Active. Go Active will help families further incorporate healthy activities into daily routines.

"At McDonald's we offer customers the wholesome, high-quality food menu options they request to meet both taste and nutritional goals," said Mike Donahue, vice president of McDonald's Communication U.S.A.

McDonald's leads the food service industry with more than 30,000 local restaurants, serving 47 million customers each day.

"We are far and away the leader in our industry in sponsoring and supporting programs encouraging and promoting healthier lifestyles," said Donahue.

According to the surgeon general 60 percent of Americans are overweight and only 19 percent exercise on a regular basis.

"With the guidelines on physical activity today, a person should exercise every day for cumulative of 60 minutes with moderate activity," said health professor Jennifer Turley. "With Americans today being obese, a person needs to eat a healthier diet, stay away from french fries and double bacon cheeseburgers and exercise more."

Eating right requires some common-sense rules, Turley said. Piling high-fat dressing on a salad defeats the whole purpose.

The new McDonald's "Go Active Meal" is sponsored by Bob Greene, Oprah Winfrey's personal trainer. Greene, an exercise physiologist and certified trainer, hopes to promote a better, healthier lifestyle by being the spokesperson for the new happy meal.

McDonald's is currently testing the market in Indiana for the adult meals.

Cory Watson, manager of McDonald's at 1075 E. Gentile in Layton, said, "While most people come for the fries, the yogurt parfaits and McGriddles are rapidly becoming big sellers."

McDonald's recently hit an all-time high in market sales and stock prices. This last year, after having been the lowest ever, sales and profits have boomed.

The adult happy meal will incorporate more than a good meal for those on the go. It will also offer exercises to perform to stay in shape.

With profits rising and the American trend on health foods and exercising, McDonald's is making a change as well.

You can leave a message for correspondent Doug Nance by calling 626-7624.