Burgers and fries are usually a no-no for health conscious consumers and parents trying to feed their kids a balanced diet.
But a group of top nutritionists have revealed that fast food can be enjoyed in moderation and they wouldn’t advise a full-out ban.
Julia Cassidy, a dietitian and specialist in eating disorders at the Eating Recovery Center in California, explains that portraying certain foods negatively can lead children to form an unhealthy relationship with food.
She lets her son eat at McDonald’s and she doesn’t label fast food ‘or any food as good or bad’.
‘My sons eat at McDonald’s sometimes, and I treat it the same way I would at any other meal,’ she told HuffPost.
She added: ‘In the long run, this approach supports food flexibility, reduces guilt and protects against the kind of rigid thinking that can contribute to disordered eating.’
Heidi McIndoo, a registered dietitian based out of Boston, says she also lets her children have McDonald’s for the same reason.
She explains: ‘When you completely ban food from your kids, you’re just making those foods more appealing to them.
Burgers and fries are usually a no-no for health conscious consumers. But a group of top nutritionists have revealed that fast food can be enjoyed in moderation and they wouldn’t advise a full-out ban
‘It also encourages the mentality of “good” and “bad” foods, which can lead to issues with healthy eating as they get older.’
McIndoo reveals that when she dines at McDonald’s with her family or orders take-out, she tries to balance out the meal.
She highlights that along with burgers and fries, there are some healthier options on the menu.
For example, she suggests swapping soda out for milk and she highlights that McDonald’s sells apple slices – which contain just 15 calories per bag – and these make for a refreshing accompaniment to cut through the grease.
Similarly Nikki Fata, a registered dietitian based out of Chicago, told HuffPost McDonald’s is ‘a welcome option for me and my future children’.
She acknowledges that fast food is an affordable and convenient option for many people.
And she highlights that it can be nutritious, with many items packed with essential carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
Heidi McIndoo, a registered dietitian based out of Boston, says she lets her children have McDonald’s and no food should be branded ‘bad’ or ‘good’
Julia Cassidy, a dietitian and eating disorder specialist with Eating Recovery Center in California , says that demonizing certain foods can cause children to develop an unhealthy relationship with eating
Fata explains: ‘Whether it’s a Big Mac, French fry, chicken nugget or McFlurry, each one of these options contains vital nutrients for the human body: carbohydrates, fat, protein and various micronutrients.
‘I wouldn’t recommend only eating McDonald’s for every meal, every day of the week, but I also wouldn’t recommend eating any other food or type of food for every meal, every day of the week.’
Award-winning nutritionist Kate Llewellyn-Waters previously told DailyMail.com that if you are opting for fast food, she would recommend pizza over McDonald’s or food from a similar restaurant.
‘A healthy pizza loaded with a mix of different veggies and a good-quality protein source, such as tuna, eggs, can be high in fiber, protein, healthy fats, calcium, vitamins and minerals, and is fine to be included in a balanced diet once a week,’ Llewellyn-Waters explained.
‘Opt for a nutrient-dense, good quality pizza over a McDonald’s, which is ultra-processed, deficient in nutrients, and contains numerous chemical additives.
‘I would advise keeping these types of fast-food takeaways, which are devoid of any beneficial nutrients, to the complete minimum.’
However, no matter what you eat, Llewellyn-Waters points out that the portion size is key, especially if you’re watching your weight.
‘If the portion size is too large this can be double the calories or more even of a not-so great nutritional value takeaway [such as McDonald’s]. So, watch the portion sizes.’
