As the waistlines of Americans continue to expand, billions upon billions of dollars are being spent each year in weight-related medical costs.
By some standards, Colorado is the nation’s fittest state, yet more than half of us are considered obese or overweight. Across the country, nearly two-thirds of all American adults are overweight.
It’s a McDisaster in the making.
That’s why we were pleased to see a pilot program unveiled last week at 110 McDonald’s restaurants across Colorado that gives patrons healthier options. McDonald’s will promote 11 meal combinations that meet the nutritional standards set by the state’s Smart Meal program.
To qualify, each meal must contain no more than 700 calories, with less than 15 percent of them coming from saturated fat. It must also have fewer than 1,500 milligrams of sodium and a minimum of two servings of beans or whole grains, fruits or vegetables.
A Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese alone has a whopping 740 calories. Add large fries and the combo jumps to 1,310 calories – more than half of what adults should consume daily.
The new Smart Meal combos could include a hamburger paired with a fruit-and- yogurt parfait and apple dippers or an Asian salad with grilled chicken.
Colorado’s public health department launched the Smart Meals program in 2005; unfortunately, only 19 restaurants participate. However, industry experts told The Post that other fast-food outlets and restaurants could follow McDonald’s lead, since the giant company often sets trends. We hope that’s the case.
By packaging the meals with a special Smart Meals logo, restaurants are arming health-conscious diners with much-needed information and exposing items that might appear to be “healthy” options but aren’t.
For example, the five-piece Chicken Selects Breast Strips sounds healthier than a Big Mac, but in reality it has 630 calories, nearly half from fat, and an artery-clogging 33 grams of fat.
The special meal combos will be available beginning in June. Participating stores will have kiosks where consumers can access nutritional information.
Many customers won’t be interested in the Smart Meals, but we think McDonald’s is doing a terrific thing by offering them – and giving patrons more of the information they need to make smart decisions for themselves.
