Opinions on Mac Donalds needed for Radio 5 interview tomorrow

I don't like MacD's as I don't like the association between food and toys they create. But we do go ocassionally. We went the other day and I forced dds to have carrot sticks and chicken grills. The carrot sticks were slimy and even they managed to taste sweet and sickly. The chicken grills stank.

Burger and chips next time I think.

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn

Beachy, we went to the Woolwich one when it opened in 1974 too and loved it .
Ds adores McDonalds because of the bl**dy toys but I hate the place because of the processed food, the miserable, poorly-paid staff, the horrible lighting and the company's dodgy ethics. And yes, I know that all sorts of other big corporations are no better, if not worse, but McDonalds is not essential to our family's wellbeing so I limit access as far as I can.
I certainly think they should be banned from offering toys with children's meals - all the fast food joints that do this should.
And the new menu? I thought it was as much about persuading sceptical parents back in, and aimed at them. I did have one of their new chicken salady things once and it was revolting. It really was.

Actually I heard an interesting thing about McDonalds and the new 'healthy' menu (bear in mind I do take my kids there) It said that of the new 108 choices over 1/2 didn't offer enough calories for a meal for an average child (OK they all different sizes). The chicken strips with water and carrot sticks offers only about 110 cals!! A child should be getting about 400 cals minimum from a main meal. So we shouldn't choose the carrots sticks over chips then

This thread is interesting as I think it is starting to be quite an interesting debate. Some people are opposed to McD's others see it as a good choice (at least ALL ingreadiants are available and it can be allergy free), Others see it as an occassional choice. The only side of the arguement we haven't heard is someone who always goes to McD's - but then again I don't know anyone who goes more than just occassionally

i agree its complete rubbish but ok in moderation My ds used to pester us to go now and again but now aged 10 nearly 11 he has decided himself it is rubbish and just doesn't eat it.Once every couple of months or in an emergency isn't a crime though we do get too precious over these things Some kids get very little to eat and would be glad of anything

sallyenglebertstrawberry: I was stuck in Newport.

My DS1 gets taken to McD's about once every 2 months, but I prefer other places. He loves it and I like the McChicken Premieres, even thoiugh I know it's all crap (hence the sparsity of the visits).

TBH as long as he eats healthily the rest of the time I'm not worried about a McD once in a while. I'm more worried about school dinners.

Oh yes, last time we went the Happy Meal toy was a mini gameboy type thing. I was impressed!

We eat MaccyD's once every couple of weeks. Nothing wrong with it in my opinion. No worse than any other take away and it means I don't have to cook.

My children don't really like McDonalds-food and would rather go to starbucks for their muffins, but personally I think there is nothing wrong with a McDonalds once in a blue moon. It's when you eat there on a regular basis, like once a week, it becomes a problem. You don't become obese by going to McDonalds one a month.

Jasper, I don't object to success, really I don't. I don't find The Body Shop or Yeo Valley Organic or lots of other brands objectionable. I do think the point about protest is an important one though. McDonalds likes to silence its critics. Anyway, I'll stop going on but for anyone interested, here's the Mcspotlight site

McDonald's are the only place that will tell me exactly what is in their products. Their ingredients are no mystery - every branch has their own huge book with every single thing listed.

It's the only place I can confidently take my allergic son to eat. I don't use McDonalds as a treat - if we are out and hungry, it's our only choice.

That said, happy meal in NZ can be a plain burger with apple slices and a small bottle of milk or spring water.

Not impressed by macdonalds' attempt to make their food healthier. They haven't changed much in what kids actually eat!

Not many kids eat salad at 2 years old, and the burgers are still fatty, the fries are still salted automatically, and the bread still has sugar in it to make it more palatable to children.

The stuff that is packaged to appeal to children is not the best stuff on the menu. That stuff is packaged to appeal to women. The fresh juice comes in grown up, sleek bottles, the coke comes in Ronald Macdonald-plastered paper cups with lids and straws. You can see that they are trying to drag the mums in, knowing that once the kids are in, there is NOT A CHANCE IN HELL they are going to sit and eat salad when there is a happy meal available!

Bloody hate the place, and this is from someone who would happily live on supernoodles.

Message withdrawn

My ds is 6 1/2, he's seen the ads on Tv, but when someone mentioned McDonalds to him he didn't have a clue what it was. Admittedly he's not in school and we tend to mix with fairly holistic, alternative type parents, but still...it's possible.

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn

Plus, new legislation is coming in, partly because of the McLibel trial which will make it virtually possible to protest, even peacefully.

It is utter coporate bollocks.

What, how successful they are at manipulation and exploitation? How successful they are at destroying huge swathes of irreplacable rainforest? How successful they are at breaking all the rules of animal husbandry? How successful they are at contributing to the failing health of many nations?

McDonalds is crap food, all tied up to markettng to make money for a large faceless corporation. It is crap tasteless, lazy food (no chewing required) that has helped the nation get to where it is in feeding our children. If they only eat McD no wonder its such a shock when they have decent food. If we hate them who do we protest to/ shoot! Microsoft its Bill Gates, Virgin its Richard Branson but Ronald McDonald is just a brand.

We should all go to the new McJamies opening at a school near you.

Message withdrawn

I also think some people talk a lot of misinformed nonsense about McDonalds, it really seems to annoy them how successful they are.

should read training methods