McDonald's has been making a push to provide a healthier menu for their customers for some time now. With the addition of salads, wraps, and more chicken options, the iconic chain restaurant is slowly but surely making their food choices a little more calorie-friendly.
The Golden Arches are also planning on encouraging kids to read, after facing backlash for promoting their Happy Meals with toys...because apparently that was an issue. The company is planning on offering books as replacements for kids who would rather that than a toy. Coupled with healthier choices, it seems like McDonald's is trying to become a more family-oriented restaurant.
However, as many will point out, if you're going to McDonald's then you're probably not worried about the calories you're consuming. Growing up, going to McDonald's was an absolute treat. My parents made it clear that fast food was not our best option for nutritious food, but that meant that when we did go to McDonald's, it was even more special.
My favorite treat was the cheeseburger Happy Meal. I felt so grown up, don't ask me why, to be eating a cheeseburger. I mean COME ON! That's definitely adult food right there.
But unfortunately for my inner child, McDonald's is making some changes to their Happy Meal menu, and it's seeing two fan-favorite items taken completely off the menu. But don't worry, there's a way around it.
According to a news release from McDonald's, they will be removing the cheeseburger and chocolate milk options from the menu board. The hope is that by 2022, their Happy Meal options will contain 600 calories or less.
"By 2022, McDonald's will make improvements to the Happy Meal menu across 120 markets to offer more balanced meals, simplify ingredients, continue to be transparent with Happy Meal nutrition information, reinforce responsible marketing to children, and leverage innovative marketing to help impact the purchase of foods and beverages that contain recommended food groups in Happy Meals," the release says.
The removal of cheeseburgers leaves customers with three options: a hamburger meal, a four-piece nugget meal, or a six-piece nugget meal. There will also be an option to replace the drink option with a bottled of water at no additional charge.
If the cheeseburger-chocolate milk combo is what you're really craving, however, don't worry. McDonald's says they'll be happy to make it for you, they just don't want it listed on their menu anywhere. Their belief is that it will encourage customers to make smarter menu choices.
While some people are fine with the decision, others want to start a petition to rename them "Sad Meals."