Are Happy Meals Dangerous?

New York City is now considering a "Happy Meal" ban, which could make it the second city where it is illegal to put toys in a kid’s meal that is less than healthy. San Francisco banned toys in fattening kid’s meals last year. This once again raises the question to moms everywhere—should the government put limits on food served to kids? Is a cheap plastic toy in cheeseburger meal making American children fat?

The moms council has mixed feelings on this one. How about you? Feel free to leave a comment below, because we want to know what South County moms feel about the “dangers” of Happy Meals.

Tracy: It makes me sad to think that it has come to this, but the truth is our kids are in danger. Unfortunately, I think we have sacrificed "healthy" for convenience. When you are running late after work and worried about getting to ball practice on time, it feels like a good idea to pick up a quick meal and be on your way. I think parents would love to have healthier choices available. Most parents I know have been saying that for years. So, why haven't fast food restaurants done more to change their offerings for the better? If it takes a law to get them to make changes, then I say let's make that law.

Laura: I think the government has more important things to worry about than what I'm feeding my children. I have serious doubts as to whether a ban would even help. When my kids request  McDonald’s, they aren't asking "Mom, can we go get the new McDonald’s toy?!?" They're wanting a cheeseburger and fries, and the toy is a fun bonus.

I remember trips to McDonald’s with my mom and younger brother when I was a kid. We'd order and sit in the back of her huge green station wagon, eating our food. It's a wonderful memory and it's the experience--not the toy--that mattered.  I've taken my kids to McDonald’s because they've asked and at some point I've probably taken them because of a specific toy. And I'll continue to do so because they enjoy it and I know I'm doing my job as a parent by making sure they're eating enough healthy food to have the occasional trip to Mickey D's. I want my kids to look back in 30 years and remember fun trips to  McDonald’s with Mom.

Michelle: Government should totally stay out of it! If I own a restaurant and give out toys that is my right. The problem is everyone wants to blame everybody else except for themselves. If I can't say no to my son then I should have him taken away from me! I am responsible for what my son eats--no one else. If he is obese then it is my fault no one else! No one is making people eat at unhealthy places. They are deciding to do it. Government should stay out of it and not tell a business that it can't include a toy. 

Have I gone to McDonald’s for a toy my son wanted--I'm sure I have at some point in his twelve years. Did it happen often--no. I'm sorry I would fight it, not because people should eat healthier, but because the government should stay out of controlling it!

Denise: I hate toys in kid’s meals. But it’s not because they are subliminally making my children demand fast food, it’s because I think the toys too often cheap junk that adds clutter to my house and ends up in the trash. I’m an at-home mom and I feel like I spend way too much time in the kitchen as it is, so when mommy is burned out, fast food comes to the rescue.

But even though I admit to buying my kids cheeseburgers from time to time, I’ll also say that I very rarely buy them the kid meals. I realize that there are too many calories in a yummy order of fries, so I will split the fries and get the cheeseburger on its own. If I’m with just one kid at McDonald’s, we’ll split the two cheeseburger meal and get an extra drink. If it’s the whole family, we share two large fries. It’s a win-win: I don’t have to cook, we keep the calories in check and there’s no junk toy to distract my kids from eating.

As far as the government goes, I wish they would keep their noses out of my family's business. No fast food restaurant has ever dragged a mom unwillingly through its doors. Kids want a lot of stuff that they don’t need: sugary cereal, candy bars, expensive toys, designer sneakers. It’s a parents job to say no and teach limits. McDonald’s isn’t making kids fat, the parents who feed their kids non-stop junk food are making their kids fat. And that’s their own fault.