[Rob43]

New York, NY (AHN) – Following McDonald’s promises to slim down on its portions and introducing healthier alternatives to its menu, the company has instead announced plans to reveal a super-size version of the Big Mac – which is 40 percent larger than the regular Big Mac.

Restaurant patrons can expect to chow down on 690 calories a sitting with the super-sized burger.

The new Big Mac is being introduced as part of a World Cup promotion for the summer and is expected to be heavily advertised on television. McDonald's has failed to stem a loss in sales despite the adoption of a healthier menu, including salads and fruit.

The Bigger Mac has 32 grams of fat, of which 13.82 are saturated fat. This is 70 percent of the saturated fat recommended for a woman or child. It contains 3.15g of salt, which is more than half the salt recommended for an adult, and three-quarters the limit for a child.

A McDonald's spokesman says: "We are not reneging on our earlier decision. This is something which is a bit different, a bit special, for a short period. This is about offering something we know customers love and want to see."

According to the Daily Mail, Professor Malcolm Law, of the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine in London, has lobbied for the end to super-size portions. He says: "The introduction of this bigger burger flies in the face of earlier promises to do away with super-size portions.

"It is entirely the wrong message to suggest that a bigger burger is a special treat. A product containing so much fat and salt must have questions about its nutritional quality."

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7003316684

[DeusXM]

Didn't the Big Tasty have something like 900 calories?

Anyway, I'm not really a fan of Big Macs. I always loved the difference between McDonalds and Burger King. When McDonalds went and invented all these new salads and bagels to make their menu healthier, Burger King just added another burger to their bacon double cheeseburgers and then made them even larger.

[JediSkipdogg]

I never understood why McDonalds got (and still gets) so much slack over their menu and unhealthy eating. Wendy's still has the Biggie Size and Burger King still has the Go King Size, yet neither of them ever make the news when they introduce a new item with massive calories and fat. Heck, Burger King has a breakfast sandwich that has around 900 calories in it.

I personally was a fan of the Super Size at McDonalds. Heck, I think they even made their fry size smaller on the value meals becuase of complaints from overweight people. Guess what, it's your choice, if you eat it and eat lots of it, expect to gain weight. If you eat it moderately, then there shouldn't be a problem at all.

Hopefully this new bill passes that says you can't sue restaurants for making you fat unless you can prove that they blatantly lied on their nutritional info and the item isn't special ordered.

OK, rant over. I guess this is what spending 5 years at McDonalds, 3 being a Manager, does to someone.

[Cyborg]

What is wrong with these places? Can't they get it that people want to eat healthy and consume less calories? I love a good burger! Why can't I go to McDonalds and get a burger made with lean (near fat free) hamburger on a whole wheat bun. I'd even pay an extra buck for one! It's so very simple...

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

What is wrong with these places? Can't they get it that people want to eat healthy and consume less calories? I love a good burger! Why can't I go to McDonalds and get a burger made with lean (near fat free) hamburger on a whole wheat bun. I'd even pay an extra buck for one! It's so very simple...

Because studies show people don't want that. Last I check McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, etc. are still making a pretty high profit. And even after a news release about 2 weeks ago showing that US fast food has the highest amount of fat of every country in the world in their food, sales didn't decline at all.

You think people want to eat healthy, but in reality, Americans at least have no plans on eating healthy anytime soon and studies also have shown that Americans are now accepting overweight as the norm.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg

Because studies show people don't want that. Last I check McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, etc. are still making a pretty high profit. And even after a news release about 2 weeks ago showing that US fast food has the highest amount of fat of every country in the world in their food, sales didn't decline at all.

You think people want to eat healthy, but in reality, Americans at least have no plans on eating healthy anytime soon and studies also have shown that Americans are now accepting overweight as the norm.

Tell me what fast food chain sells such a burger? I know of none. So if they don't attempt it, they will not see if it succeeds. The fast food chains are making good profits, but they are still struggling to make better profits. I do not believe in a blanket statement that Americans have no plans on eating healthy anytime soon. That is a stereotypical statement and certainly does not apply to many health concious Americans.

As far as Americans accepting being overweight as the norm, it's up to us to break that cycle of thinking and we can start with our children. We are up against big business and commercialism. They install upon our children from the youngest age that this type of food is good and fun. Parents are lazy and want a quick fix for dinner. They don't want to cook for their children. We as parents must step up to the plate and do our jobs.

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

Tell me what fast food chain sells such a burger? I know of none. So if they don't attempt it, they will not see if it succeeds. The fast food chains are making good profits, but they are still struggling to make better profits. I do not believe in a blanket statement that Americans have no plans on eating healthy anytime soon. That is a stereotypical statement and certainly does not apply to many health concious Americans.

As far as Americans accepting being overweight as the norm, it's up to us to break that cycle of thinking and we can start with our children. We are up against big business and commercialism. They install upon our children from the youngest age that this type of food is good and fun. Parents are lazy and want a quick fix for dinner. They don't want to cook for their children. We as parents must step up to the plate and do our jobs.

I know many fast food chails have tried low carb and low calorie items. I worked at McDonalds for 5 years and saw many new items come to their store that were healty. I saw salads and the creation of the Fruit and Yogurt Parfait (my personal favorite) yet those sales are so low in a day that they don't make enough to cover the cost.

I know Subway has those subs that have like 6 grams of carbs but from what I've read online, they aren't selling that hot either. Wendy's has even started a first by changing their menu around and allowing you to get a few different healthier side items instead of fries. Guess what, so far Wendy's said it hasn't boosted sales or made a profit for what they spent on marketing it (Granted the finger incident did put a big thorn in their side at the same time.)

With parents, some of the problem is everyone is on the run now adays. They don't have time to sit down for a family dinner anymore. Some of this is due to them moving out in the country and driving an hour or more to and from work. Some has to do with people just want to eat and watch the tube. That's a lifestyle change that I don't see going back.

But also, as someone brought up once in the past, parents want to stuff their kids with food. I see so many babies overweight these days that it amazes me. The baby doesn't decide what to eat, the parent does. And when they get older and start hitting around 3-4 years old they can make their own decisions. They eat dinner but eat 50% of what their plate is. So what do the parents do, they shove the other 50% down the kids throats or punish the kid for not eating. Did parents ever think that maybe the kid truely is not hungry anymore and just adding more food is going to make them fat?

OK, I'll step off my soapbox now, I think it's starting to fall apart.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg

I know many fast food chails have tried low carb and low calorie items. I worked at McDonalds for 5 years and saw many new items come to their store that were healty. I saw salads and the creation of the Fruit and Yogurt Parfait (my personal favorite) yet those sales are so low in a day that they don't make enough to cover the cost.

I know Subway has those subs that have like 6 grams of carbs but from what I've read online, they aren't selling that hot either. Wendy's has even started a first by changing their menu around and allowing you to get a few different healthier side items instead of fries. Guess what, so far Wendy's said it hasn't boosted sales or made a profit for what they spent on marketing it (Granted the finger incident did put a big thorn in their side at the same time.)

With parents, some of the problem is everyone is on the run now adays. They don't have time to sit down for a family dinner anymore. Some of this is due to them moving out in the country and driving an hour or more to and from work. Some has to do with people just want to eat and watch the tube. That's a lifestyle change that I don't see going back.

But also, as someone brought up once in the past, parents want to stuff their kids with food. I see so many babies overweight these days that it amazes me. The baby doesn't decide what to eat, the parent does. And when they get older and start hitting around 3-4 years old they can make their own decisions. They eat dinner but eat 50% of what their plate is. So what do the parents do, they shove the other 50% down the kids throats or punish the kid for not eating. Did parents ever think that maybe the kid truely is not hungry anymore and just adding more food is going to make them fat?

OK, I'll step off my soapbox now, I think it's starting to fall apart.

I asked for a low-fat, whole wheat bun hamburger. Not a low-carb or low-calorie hamburger. Not a single fast-food place offers this, period.

Have you been to subway lately? Most times there is a line. Try going around lunch time! If this isn't an indicator of what Americans want, then what is? BTW, Subway has managed to remain a privately held company and is continuing to grow. If they were public, I'd invest in them in the blink of an eye.

There is no excuse for feeding yourself or your children unhealthy food. Whether it be lack of time or driving distances. They are nothing but excuses and rationalizations.

The cycle needs to stop with the parents...

...Gee, that got me going better than a cup of coffee.

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

I asked for a low-fat, whole wheat bun hamburger. Not a low-carb or low-calorie hamburger. Not a single fast-food place offers this, period.

Have you been to subway lately? Most times there is a line. Try going around lunch time! If this isn't an indicator of what Americans want, then what is? BTW, Subway has managed to remain a privately held company and is continuing to grow. If they were public, I'd invest in them in the blink of an eye.

There is no excuse for feeding yourself or your children unhealthy food. Whether it be lack of time or driving distances. They are nothing but excuses and rationalizations.

The cycle needs to stop with the parents...

...Gee, that got me going better than a cup of coffee.

All is fun in love and war. I'm thinking and trying to prove you wrong on the low fat wheat burger, but dangit, I just can't do it.

Just because subway lines are long doesn't mean anything. There are NUMEROUS unhealthy items on their menu. I don't like Subway, but I eat Quizno's, which is exactly the same thing in my opinion, and I know I'm far from the healthy side of their menu. Well, depends, anyone know if Batch 83 sauce on the Traditional sub is healthy?

Parents do need to stop and start alot. My kids (when I have some) WILL NOT own a video game system of any kind untill they can buy one themselves. They will also be put on a strict excercise regimen until they are old enough to move out. Simply put, I want my kids healthy, and if you start them young doing something, like a 2 mile run every morning, then they will continue doing it till they can't anymore. But if parents let their kids sit inside and play video games all day, they aren't getting any excercise to burn off those extra calories from unhealthy food.

I see there being two options, either kids need to eat healthier or they need to excercise. Currently, they do neither, so they can't even counterbalance doing one, which is what I currently do. I eat bad food probably 10 of the 21 meals a week, but I work out on a pretty much daily basis.

Time for a fillup. <<<---- Diet Coke in there. LOL

At least this has given me something to talk about at work. And FYI...I won't be a drill sergeant to my kids, but I will raise them to not mess up.

[Cyborg]

Cheers

You can put the real stuff in mine. Breakfast of champions!

[duck]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

What is wrong with these places? Can't they get it that people want to eat healthy and consume less calories? I love a good burger! Why can't I go to McDonalds and get a burger made with lean (near fat free) hamburger on a whole wheat bun. I'd even pay an extra buck for one! It's so very simple...

I have to agree with Jedi on this one. Mickey D's did indeed introduce the McLean Deluxe in 1991, and I think it sold about ten burgers nationwide before McDonalds removed the item from the menu, ground up all the remaining McLean Deluxe patties and fed them to the chickens that make up the McNuggets.

[duck]

Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg

I never understood why McDonalds got (and still gets) so much slack over their menu and unhealthy eating. Wendy's still has the Biggie Size and Burger King still has the Go King Size, yet neither of them ever make the news when they introduce a new item with massive calories and fat. Heck, Burger King has a breakfast sandwich that has around 900 calories in it.

Yeeeears ago, I was watching the local news after some other stupid study concluded MickeyD's was bad for you (O RLY?). Anyway, the news crew went out and interviewed a couple of random people, and they put one guy on who said "well, our family only eats at Burger King since studies have proven flame-broiling is better for you than frying..."

I literally yelled WTF (the real phrase) when I heard that moron say that. Like a friggin' Whopper is ANY healthier than a Big Mac!

Whopper w/Cheese:
Total Fat 47 g
Saturated Fat 16 g
Cholesterol 115 mg
Sodium 1450 mg
Total Carbohydrates 52 g
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Sugars 11 g
Protein 33 g
Calcium 250 mg

Big Mac:
Total Fat 30 g
Saturated Fat 10 g
Cholesterol 80 mg
Sodium 1010 mg
Total Carbohydrates 47 g
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Sugars 8 g
Protein 25 g

From what I can tell, the Big Mac is arguably "healthier", but let's not fool ourselves and think Big Macs or Whoppers are healthy in any context...

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by duck

I have to agree with Jedi on this one. Mickey D's did indeed introduce the McLean Deluxe in 1991, and I think it sold about ten burgers nationwide before McDonalds removed the item from the menu, ground up all the remaining McLean Deluxe patties and fed them to the chickens that make up the McNuggets.

With a marketing name like "McLean" it's no wonder it failed miserably. Geez, I don't even remember the thing!

[Cyborg]

If McDonalds does what they say they are going to do, which is put nutritional information on all the food containers and wrappers of all their food items they sell, then other fast food places will have to do so. This will arm consumers with the knowledge they need to make smarter choices. I believe this will ultimately force the fast food chains into a war to deliver healthier food items without pushing them as diet foods. It will end up bringing a major change to the fast food industry. If no other fast food places participate, McDonalds might just yank it like they did the "McLean" since they would be the only ones exposing the evil contents of their food.

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

With a marketing name like "McLean" it's no wonder it failed miserably. Geez, I don't even remember the thing!

Now that he brought that up I remember the McLean. McDonald's also tried the Arch Deluxe around 1996 which was suppose to be a healthier alternative to a regular burger, I forget what meat was used, but again that failed. 2 years later they brought out the Big N Tasty which was the Arch Deluxe toppings and bun, with the old fat style meat (actually, same piece of meat as the quarter pounder.)

Anyone remember the carrots at McDonalds too? And how about the recent one if it's still happening, Apples instead of fries, and Milk instead of Coke. All of the above, again, FAILED. That alone proves that American's don't want healthy. And fast food is still attempting to find the best burger and side dishes for a healthy person. Yet nobody wants them and if they don't sell, they cancel them.

Originally Posted by Cyborg

If McDonalds does what they say they are going to do, which is put nutritional information on all the food containers and wrappers of all their food items they sell, then other fast food places will have to do so. This will arm consumers with the knowledge they need to make smarter choices. I believe this will ultimately force the fast food chains into a war to deliver healthier food items without pushing them as diet foods. It will end up bringing a major change to the fast food industry. If no other fast food places participate, McDonalds might just yank it like they did the "McLean" since they would be the only ones exposing the evil contents of their food.

Personally, I don't see that doing anything. One problem is Americans don't know what any of that nutritional info means. That alone is a problem.

Secondly, All fast food restaurants have what is in their food. McDonalds use to do it as big 2 feet by 3 feet posters, now they do it in a take home pamphlet. Burger King I think still has the posters. Putting it on the food won't do any good if Americans don't read it or understand it.