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Opinions on Mac Donalds needed for Radio 5 interview tomorrow

215 replies

Carriemumsnet · 14/04/2005 17:13

Hi all

Justine's going to be on the Victoria Derbyshire phone in tomorrow morning 10-11am

The topic is:

It's now 50 years since McDonald's opened its first store in the US. Obviously since then its become a global power?but with the film super-size me and the anti-obesity campaigning, we are asking - "Has McDonald's had its day?"

Obviously because of how McDonald's markets itself towards kids and families, parents opinion is vital in this. Does the parent of today still take the kids to McDonald's for a birthday treat?once a month treat?or do we really now feel too worried about what's in the food? Do we think giving our kids a bit of what's bad for them as a treat is actually a good thing?or is it that we're actually impressed with the moves McDonald's have made to introduce healthier options..and after all - they know how to keep the children entertained!

Your views please!

Thanks as always

OP posts:
whatsername · 15/04/2005 00:04

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.

oops · 15/04/2005 00:09

Message withdrawn

colditz · 15/04/2005 00:54

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.

bobbybob · 15/04/2005 02:43

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.

WideWebWitch · 15/04/2005 05:51

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

FairyMum · 15/04/2005 07:02

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.

SecondhandRose · 15/04/2005 08:19

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.

wordsmith · 15/04/2005 08:33

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!

morningpaper · 15/04/2005 08:43

sallyenglebertstrawberry: I was stuck in Newport.

incognito1 · 15/04/2005 08:52

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

crunchie · 15/04/2005 09:22

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

Marina · 15/04/2005 09:32

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.

cod · 15/04/2005 09:33

Message withdrawn

cod · 15/04/2005 09:33

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Enid · 15/04/2005 09:34

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.

cod · 15/04/2005 09:35

Message withdrawn

aloha · 15/04/2005 10:01

People say their kids like Mcdonalds....but how do their kids get to know about it. My ds has NO idea such a place exists (he three and a half). As I said, it's not the food that bothers me - though I do find chips in a greasy paper bag on a brown plastic tray a profoundly depressing idea - but the whole ambience of the place. Hard plastic chairs, grim lighting etc etc. There are so many other nicer places, why take your kids there in the first place and get them to like it? Why not go to a place that looks like a real cafe/restaurant and where YOU can enjoy it too? Obviously none of this applies if you are the one who really loves Mcdonald's and its lovely plastic chairs

wordsmith · 15/04/2005 10:03

My DS could recognise the McDonalds arches at the age of 3! But that's because they're ubiquitous. He could also recognise Waitrose, Boots and Burger King.

Gobbledigook · 15/04/2005 10:06

MacDonalds? Bleurgh.

DS's have had it about 3 times on the way back from somewhere when we've been late to cook tea - they don't even like it thankfully. Probably ate about a quarter of the chips each time and I'm not surprised. It's minging.

I'm sure it doesn't do any harm to have it now and again as a 'treat' but then I wouldn't class that as a treat anyway cos I think it's gross.

laneydaye · 15/04/2005 10:08

im loving it...... and so is ds... it dosent happen very often but when he does get 1 its a (TREAT) i have the flat bread chicken with a salad.....
ds has the chicken nuggetts and last time had the chicken breast pieces (not enough though) and even had the carrots but said wheres my chips?

aloha · 15/04/2005 10:10

Wordsmith...if your ds could recognise Waitrose you clearly live in a smarter area than we do! Ds can recognise B&Q!

Marina · 15/04/2005 10:10

aloha, wait til he starts school and one of his best friends has his party at McDonalds. That's how it happens.

aloha · 15/04/2005 10:10

And there is a difference between recognising the logo and wanting to go there, surely? Ds not v interested in visiting B&Q (though he LOVES Ikea....v strange)

aloha · 15/04/2005 10:11

Cross-posted Marina...aaargh! Is that why people pay for private education? Don' t think any of my friends would have a party at McD's..

Gobbledigook · 15/04/2005 10:13

Oh no, parties at MacDonalds?? Mind you, the food at the Wacky Warehouse parties is almost equally minging.