It is good to see that McDonalds is leading the way in healthier meals for Kids, but, kids don't shop there alone.

McDonald's Commits To More Balanced Happy Meals By 2022

Burgers and chicken nuggets are still the mainstay of the Happy Meal. But on Thursday McDonald's announced its goal to market more balanced kids meals around the globe.

From article, (Burgers and chicken nuggets are still the mainstay of the Happy Meal. But on Thursday McDonald's announced its goal to market more balanced kids meals around the globe.

The company says by the end of 2022, at least 50 percent or more of the kids meal options listed on menus will meet new global Happy Meal nutrition criteria: Meals will have 600 calories or less; no more than 10 percent of calories from saturated fat; no more than 650 mg sodium; and no more than 10 percent of calories from added sugar.

These goals build on the commitments McDonald's has made to improve options for kids. And, in many cases, these goals represent small tweaks. For instance, to reduce sugar, McDonald's locations in the U.S. have already switched to organic apple juice that is lower in sugar and calories. Now, the company plans to reformulate chocolate milk to a lower-sugar version. In addition, they will downsize the size of the fries served with the six-piece Chicken McNugget Happy Meal. Currently it comes with a standard small fry, but going forward this will change to a smaller kiddie size.

The company also says it will aim to use its size and scale to leverage innovative marketing to "help serve more fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, lean protein and water in Happy Meals," according to the company release.

In a statement, the American Heart Association applauded McDonald's planned changes to the Happy Meal. "This is an important step in the right direction and we look forward to seeing how today's announcement will lead to kids eating fewer calories and less sugar, saturated fat and sodium," the group's CEO, Nancy Brown, said.

So, when will McDonald's customers see alternatives to the burgers and nuggets for kids' entrees? McDonald's is testing the waters outside the U.S.

Last month McDonald's in Italy introduced a new Happy Meal entrée called the Junior Chicken —a lean, grilled chicken sandwich. McDonald's Australia is "currently exploring new vegetable and lean protein options and McDonald's France is looking at new vegetable offerings," the company said in a statement.

"The U.S. will keep an eye on these," says Julia Braun, a registered dietitian and head of global nutrition at McDonald's. "We're committed to exploring new options."

Outside kids' meals, McDonald's has introduced vegetarian and vegan burger options in parts of Europe. "I tasted it. I enjoyed it," Braun says of the veggie burger in France.)

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