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Frequently Asked Questions About McDonald's USA Food & Nutrition
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Q: What role does McDonald’s food play in helping adults and kids maintain a healthy weight?
A: Because today's lifestyles are increasingly busy, people are eating out more often. That’s why McDonald's continues to provide customers with the choices and information they need to help them meet their lifestyle needs.
Health experts from around the world - including the World Health Organization, the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Dietetic Association - agree that no single factor is responsible for the increasing rates of overweight and obesity in adults and children. Rather, the causes are complex and fueled by many factors. Among these are genetics, cultural issues, economic factors, excess food consumption and today's increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Health experts also agree that the key to maintaining a healthy weight is getting the right balance between your energy (calorie) intake from what you eat and the amount of energy you burn off with physical activity.
The Surgeon General's recent report on overweight and obesity urges action from all sectors of society. For instance, the report emphasizes each individual's role in making wise food and physical activity choices. The report also recommends that restaurants provide nutrition information on menu items and a range of options and portion sizes to help consumers make informed and balanced food choices.
McDonald's takes these recommendations seriously and is committed to helping our customers achieve their lifestyle needs by providing the information and choices they want.
For instance, we've provided nutrition information for our popular menu items for 30 years. You can get this information in a variety of convenient formats-- at our restaurants through Nutrition Facts brochures or on the backs of trayliners or right here in the nutrition information area of our site.
To help our customers choose a balanced diet that fits within their calorie goals, McDonald's menu provides a range of options and serving sizes. For instance, in addition to hamburgers, fries, and soft drinks, we offer grilled chicken sandwiches, an array of salads, Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfaits, Apple Dippers with Low Fat Caramel Dip, juice, 1% low fat milk, and, at many restaurants, soups.
With our Made For You cooking system, customers can special order various menu items to help meet their nutritional needs. For example, to trim calories and fat, order your sandwich without cheese, sauce or dressing.
Customers also may choose from a number of serving sizes for our sandwiches, French fries, Chicken McNuggets, Chicken Selects and beverages.
Regarding children, health experts agree that to instill healthy habits in their children, parents should serve as role models by practicing healthy eating habits and participating in regular physical activity.
McDonald's helps play a role in providing this balance. Our Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals supply important nutrients that growing kids need, including calcium, iron, vitamin C, and other vitamins and minerals. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that children get at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity, including active play, most days of the week. Unfortunately, many children fall short of this goal. At McDonald’s, we strive to make our PlayPlaces a fun, safe environment for active play such as climbing, jumping, crawling, and running.
Over the years, McDonald's has partnered on nutrition education programs for kids with organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dietetic Association and the Society for Nutrition Education. In addition, we are long-standing global sponsors of the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games and supporters of national events such as McDonald's All American High School Basketball and Soccer Games, as well as numerous children's sports and fitness programs at the community level.
Learn more about the nutritional value of popular McDonald's Kids Meals
See McDonald's Nutrition Information |
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