Less pop: Candace Choi on drink consumption with Happy Meals

Some call it soda, others call it pop. Some say coke generically, even if it’s Pepsi that they drink. Whatever you call it, even McDonald’s concedes that we drink too much of it, and they are working to reduce soda consumption with their Happy Meals. Candice Choi, an Associated Press reporter who covers the food and beverage beat, wrote this July 2015 report published in the Naples News.

Read it here: Choi, “McDonald’s: Fewer Happy Meal orders opting for soda”

 

1. Choi summarizes a recently issued report about soda orders with McDonald’s Happy Meals. Who wrote the report? How was the research conducted? Do you have enough information about the research and report to determine how reliable it is? Why or why not? Is there additional information that you would like to have? If so, what?
2. Choi states that soda options were “scrubbed” from menus and advertising for McDonald’s Happy Meals. What connotation does that word have? How might the sentence have been different if Choi had written “removed” instead of “scrubbed”? What attitude toward soda does the word suggest?
3. Read (or re-read) David Freedman’s essay in Chapter 18 of your text. In what ways does Choi’s report provide support for Freedman’s argument? What elements of Choi’s report might be taken as counterevidence for Freedman’s argument? Explain your reasoning.
4. Do you and your friends or relatives drink much soda? Think about when and where your consumption is highest and why that might be the case. Let’s assume for the moment that you’d like to drink less soda. What measures might the government and/or companies take to help you reduce your consumption? A price hike through taxation? Limited access? Limited advertising? Better alternative beverages in the places you usually eat and snack? Think about what might work for you and the people you know; then write a proposal. Use any of the readings in Chapter 18 as your They Say, and propose one realistic and concrete measure that could be effective for reducing your consumption of sweetened, carbonated drinks. 

Comments

[nora]

not enough information

[Ashley]

I think that McDonalds getting children to choose healthier options instead of a soda is a good thing. With kids not drinking as much soda, it leads to healthier choice options in the future. However, once the soda is close to not being chosen by kids, will they then try to make the meals they serve healthier, or let kids eat greasy cheeseburgers and "chicken" McNuggets?

[Tynan DeShields]

This is a good thing that McDonald's is doing this. Soda is actually bad for everyone but especially children because of all of the sugar it contains and calories. And by McDonald's adding healthier drinking options this could really be good for not only McDonald's themselves but little children everywhere who eat McDonald's and enjoy happy meals.

[Kait]

This is great for the Mcdonalds corporation. They are trying to fix up their rep which should not be frowned upon. They are trying to incorporate healthier options which is a great idea. The article shines on the fact that Mcdonalds has not included soda on their menu and people are gravitating towards juice or milk which is phenomenal. I am pleased that Mcdonalds is doing this, it shows that fast food chains are trying to change a little bit at a time. It may not be much, but you can already see a change. Mcdonalds should be praised for this change. Mcdonalds is known for their lack of healthy options. When you look up documentaries, you will usually find them on this corporation and how bad it is for you, etc. Now they are offering apple slices, tangerines and other options in their happy meals. In the near future, they will be offering side salads, which is great! I feel as though this is a step forward for fast food and I hope to see other chain restaurants follow in Mcdonalds footsteps.

[Sidney Cooper]

4. Personally my family and I aren't big on drinking soda. There was once a time where I would drink too much soda, but that all changed once I found out soda had a negative effect on breakouts (acne). Unfortunately I had to learn the hard way. In the article the article "Less Pop" by Candice Choi she explains the process of how fast food chains like McDonalds are making "improvements". These improvements include getting rid of the options to have soda with the happy meals,and serving healthy sides to meals for both children and adults. The one thing Coca Cola (partner to Mcdonald's) doesn't plan to do is change the type of drinks that come with the value meals for adults. Choi further explains how the process has been going since 2012, and states how the reform in beverages and foods hasn't really been working out for the business. This leads me to my view on what was to be expected. People were looking for some one to blame for their health issues (i.e diabetes and obesity). In Radley Balkos " What you eat is your business", he feels that it's the consumer's personal responsibilty on how they dine. It shouldn't be made a public duty to make someone get their life together, and neither should a person be badgered 24/7. There is a difference between giving positive suggestions, and badgering. The end all of everything is when the person decides to get their eating habits right. The people aren't responding to the food changes because, that's not what they are looking for when they come to feed their craving. I agree with bloggers (Kait and Tynan Shields).It's very noble of fast food chains after long deliberation, finally stepped and found ways to make dining healthier. However there's a chance it's too late. People have already gotten accustomed to original "unhealthy" foods on the menu. As previously stated I struggled with my soada consumption. Instead of letting it control and my breakouts or health period, I decided to gain self control gradually started letting go. Only on occasions do I indulge in soda consumption. Ultimately, in the end it's up the consumer's final decision that makes a change.

[Sarah Bauer]

Sarah Bauer
Less Pop Consumption With Happy Meals
I do not drink a lot of soda, however my mom on the other hand drinks it a lot. In the article “ Less Pop” They talk about switching the unhealthy/bad food and drinks with better choices for you. Those choices being no sodas with happy meals and fries changing to salad. To me I believe that where and when soda is consumed the most would be in or at a fast food restaurant. I think this because look at the soda machine at the fast food place you are eating at. The machine contains all poop but maybe two of them. One being hi-c, and the other being water that isn’t the best of water. With that being the only choices most adults plus children choose soda over water or juice. If i wanted to be able to drink less I would say the Government should reduce the amount of soda and replace it with flavor water or juices. Maybe have people vote on their favorite juice so they have an idea on what juices to bring into their restaurant. Also, put a higher tax on pop, the more it cost the less people would want to spend on it. Why spend a lot for something that isn’t even good for you.
Kids meals shouldn’t be having soda as a choice. There is so much sugar and calories in one cup of soda and no kid needs that. Soda isn’t healthy it makes you gain weight, face break out and the ingredients in a soda isn’t healthy for your body. So with that said the soda should be limited and more water and juice should be brought in. Maybe even bringing in fruit smoothies would be a good idea. In my opinion they should stop advertising pop all together. When you look at a menu and you don’t see pop but you see other drink options you mind will go to those and not think about soda. With less sodas
being bought they may lose some money but shouldn’t be a lot because there are other drink choices for customers to buy. Don’t forget people’s health is more important than the money. So exchanging fruit smoothies, juice and water with soda will be a healthier choice for kid meals and any customer in general. I Agree with Ashley this will help lead to a healthier future for everyone. But also about her statement about needing to fix their greasy food. I agree with that because it’s not just the pop that is bad it’s all the greasy foods. Lastly, I agree with Sidney because it may already be too late for the change because of what everyone is use to and most people won’t change things up. So with that said people should just gain self control like she had to about her face breaking out. A healthier change for everyone is what this world needs.

[dylan]

I think Its good that McDonalds is making better eating choices, mostly for kids. kids need to eat better at fast food restaurants. This Is why kids are over weight now and days, they Don't care what's In the food. But now Mcdonalds has 48% of customers don't Buy Pop, and It keeps dropping; which Is very good, Pretty Soon Its gonna Be at 0%.

[Charles Williams]

I think that Choi using the word "removed" instead of "scrubbed" makes soda seem as if its a bad thing to consume, and that McDonald's should not have ever had on its menu to begin with. Choi could have used the word "removed" to make it seem less hazardous for child consumption.

[Andre Johnson]

I strongly agree with this blog because as an athlete, I also do not drink pop. I do believe when you stop drinking pop it does change your appearance. A lot of people break out in the face from it and it does indeed help gain weight. I just believe in a life without pop. Pop contains a tremendous amount of sugar and it is just overall unhealthy. Saying no to pop can change your life.

[Jessica A]

I agree with this blog because most people now a day always tend to drink pop whenever they can and then it starts to become a habit for them. I also agree with many others that if you stop drinking pop it can change many features in you. If more people stopped drinking pop they would be more healthy and they would be much happier. Even though it might be hard to stop drinking pop all the time it will definitely be worth it in the long run. I think this puts out such a positive look on what pop can do to you and it will make people change their minds next time they want to get a pop.

[John Hramiec]

The article on McDonalds kids meals was written by Candice Choi. They found that when McDonalds stop putting pop for a drink for kids meals less people ordered t pop but instead ordered water. There is enough information in the article to show that people are getting less pop for their kids. You can always look back at when they did have the pop listed to now where it is not listed on the menu. If she used the word "removed" people might think that they are not serving pop with kids meal. People would question why they would do that and some would fight them and say they should give them a pop for their kids meal. Yes, My friends, family, and I do drink a lot of pop. I drink the most pop when i am at home watching tv. For people to drink less pop there would have to be a different drink that tastes good to them for them to switch. When there are commercials for a drink it will be pop, but if they change the drink to water and show it can make you active people might change to water.

[Brianna Schulstrom]

As a mcdonalds employee, i found this article interesting because i see first hand the unhealthy choices that not only kids are making, but parents are letting their kids make. Many parents opt for a larger or extra fries instead of the healthier options in place like apple slices or gogurts. Instead of choosing milk for their kids, most parents choose soda, which is the worst choice possible for their kids. Not only is there studies that show how bad the sugar from soda is for their kids teeth and bones, but with rising levels of childhood obesity and diabetes, it is still a shock to me that some parents dont opt for the healthier options wherever they can.

[Madison Brackett]

As a child who grew up eating McDonald's happy meals it does not seen that the big thing wrong with it is the soda. As Americans we seem to not pick on certain aspects of a problem instead of seeing the whole issue. In my eyes it's okay to have McDonald's every once in a while because you need a fast meal. That's the point of the fast food market is to be fast. The franchise is under fire to get healthier options for each meal. It should be the parent and child decision if they want the healthier option like juice or milk, but if they want the soda that's fine too. We can not make America's childhood obesity just by getting rid of the option of soda.

[Christina]

Even though I enjoy a soda from time to time I think that McDonalds is taking a step in he right direction by not including what drinks the have on their menu. An issue that I could see happening is the soda companies may get upset about their brands not being shown on the menu. But, in all honesty, people who enjoy drinking soda will always remember that they have that option when ordering food from McDonalds.

[Kasey Fillmore]

I think it is great that McDonalds is trying to become healthier for the people and kids . To many kids now days are obese and get diabetes from these sorts of food. Soda is one of the worst of them all. It makes you fat and stains you're teeth and is not good for you. With McDonald's now not having it on the menu for the kids meals it is reducing the chances that they won't get it . However they should just stop offering soda for good . Not only do the kids suffer but also adults . Many adults are also obese these because of these fast food chains. It is good McDonalds is trying to make a difference but until it all ends it doesn't matter what they do.

[Lindsay]

I think it is good that McDonald is trying to cut out pop. Its smart of them to keep pop out of their menu so people will have to ask for it. I think not having pop on their menu will make people order something else and it will make their meal they order their a lot healthier for them. I always drink soda but i am trying to cut down on drinking soda because i realize how bad it is for you.

[Jacob Sanchez]

This is great for the Mcdonalds corporation. They are trying to fix up their rep which should not be frowned upon. They are trying to incorporate healthier options which is a great idea. The article shines on the fact that Mcdonalds has not included soda on their menu and people are gravitating towards juice or milk which is phenomenal. I am pleased that Mcdonalds is doing this, it shows that fast food chains are trying to change a little bit at a time. It may not be much, but you can already see a change. Mcdonalds should be praised for this change. Mcdonalds is known for their lack of healthy options. When you look up documentaries, you will usually find them on this corporation and how bad it is for you, etc. Now they are offering apple slices, tangerines and other options in their happy meals. In the near future, they will be offering side salads, which is great! I feel as though this is a step forward for fast food and I hope to see other chain restaurants follow in Mcdonalds footsteps.

[Madison]

Choi has stated that soda has been scrubbed from the menu. As if McDonalds is trying to wash away the fact that they don’t really have any healthy alternative drinks. In reality they still have soda on the menu it’s just not as highly advertised as it used to be and not with the happy meal. The thought that just not saying that McDonalds has pop doesn’t mean that people will start to make healthy choices. I have worked at McDonalds since I was 16 and the reality of all the healthy choices is its all well and good that there are healthy choices but more often than not parents will not make those choices. It’s actually quite common to hear instead of apples with my 4 piece nugget happy meal I want more fries because my kid will not eat it. By using scrubbed and not removed it’s as if Choi is saying that McDonalds has pushed the fact that they have these unhealthy choices under the rug. McDonalds most likely wants to be healthier but knows that most parents will get their kids soda instead of anything else, and honestly I don’t blame them. As much as they want to be healthy they still want to make money and the only way to do that is offer both what people want them to, healthy alternatives, and what they know they will sell, soda.

[RRRRRR j]

Question 1
The report came from the medical revenue care, KeyBridge, mentioning only Brendan Fitzpatrick as one of the authors. The article states that the report was conducted by Keybridge and was based off of a survey of "100 restaurants in the U.S. and 81 locations in Italy".
I don't have enough information to from the article to prove to me how reliable this information is. Since Choi does not provide specific details on who made the report; we need names , page numbers,and links. He simply gives us a general medical revenue called KeyBridge. Also he writes the part about who wrote the report in the middle of the article rather the beginning, making it difficult for the reader to know where the report came from.
I would like additional information like a link to the report, so I can understand that the data mentioned is true.

[Nick]

In recent discussions of drinking too much pop, a controversial issue has been whether Mc Donald's is in the right it wrong for making people drink less pop with their kid's meals. On the one hand, some argue that it is setting a good image for Mc Donald's and is helping kids become less obese. My own view is that even though it is setting a good image and helping people I still believe that people should be able to do what they want to do.

[Labresha]

McDonald's taking the selection of drinks off the menu board helps the children forget that soda is an option. They only began to think of the juice or milk as a choice and that's the more healthier option. This helps the children make healthier choices while they're young and grow up with the same intentions. Also, the option to choose a side salad helps the adults choose healthier leaving a positive choice all around for the children and adults. The only thing here is there are already some children that are already eating extra value meals so what's in it for them? It's always good to try to make a change in food options to making healthier choices whether they are getting good feedback on what they're doing or not. Many people prefer not to give feedback especially if they're satisfied. That leaves us to think the less feedback and the more customers, then McDonald's is obviously doing well at they're job.

[Labresha]

Agreeing with Jacob above. This is very great for McDonald's corporation.They may gain more customers from this and maybe people may choose the healthier option when they come to McDonald's. The fast food restaurants in many ways are starting to have some concern for their customers and trying to change.

[Ashley Timmons]

In this article, Choi talks about how McDonalds have taken soft drinks off as a choice for Happy Meals for children. The percentages of soft drinks bought with Happy Meals have gone done in the past year and they are assumed to continue to go down. It was even mentioned that they are coming up with healthy sides to replace fries with. They aren't going to replace soft drinks for the other meals at McDonalds but they came up for replacements for fries. I agree with Jacob in saying that this is a good thing to do and that others will start to follow through. Having the kids drink juice and milk is better than soft drinks.

[Nayli Landaeta]

The fact that McDonalds is trying to reduce the consumption of soda is ideal for the Mcdonalds corporation. They are trying to fix up their rep which everybody knows is a bad one. They are trying to incorporate healthier options which are an exquisite idea. The article shines on the fact that Mcdonalds has not included soda on their menu and people are gravitating towards juice or milk which is phenomenal. I am pleased that Mcdonalds is doing this, it shows that fast food chains are trying to change a little bit at a time. It may not be much, but you can already see a change. Mcdonalds should be praised for this change. Mcdonalds is known for their lack of healthy options. When you look up documentaries, you will usually find them on this corporation and how bad it is for you, etc. Now they are offering apple slices, tangerines and other options in their happy meals. Shortly, they will be offering side salads, which is great! I feel as though this is a step forward for fast food and I hope to see other chain restaurants follow in Mcdonalds footsteps.

[Melissa Legg]

Although McDonald's has has a negative reputation for being extremely unhealthy, it has started to make healthy advancements. McDonald's recently removed soda as an option for kids meals, which is an extremely positive action. By doing this parents will hopefully realize that what their children are exposed to should be taken into consideration. If parents have a habit of consuming an abundance of fast food, and expose their children to the products as well, than hopefully this action will help them to make healthier choices at such places. For example they can get their children water or juice and a side of apple slices, rather then fries. Also, parents will probably start making personal health related choices, at fast food places, if they are doing so for their children. Adults could take part in the new offering of salads as a side rather then fries, and could also cut soda out of their meals as well. McDonald's decision to remove soda from the children's menu will have a positive affect on the rest of the customers, especially parents. Furthermore, their action may also trigger other fast food chains to progress toward a healthier menu.