Let’s Get Happy!

A few weeks back, the McDonald’s Happy Meal turned 30. Yes, you read that right. Thirty – as in 3-0.

What began in 1979 as a small circus wagon-themed box with a hamburger, French fries and toy inside – and a high fructose corn syrup-soaked soda on the side – has evolved into a high-powered marketing tool and, at times, a not-so-happy hot plate of national controversy.

Naturally, the Happy Meal has caught beef from health advocacy groups for contributing to today’s spiraling childhood obesity rates. No less an authority than the Centers for Disease Control claims that since the Happy Meal first hit the market, that rate has ballooned from 4.2% to 17%. Of course, they also note that the original Happy Meal had just 600 calories and little was understood about nutrition back then.

So after 30 years, billions of Happy Meals and thousands of debates, the Happy Meal is still going strong. In fact, McDonald’s even has a director of nutrition now, and she claims that a version of the Happy Meal that offers four-piece McNuggets, “caramel apple dippers” and 1% milk clocks in at just 375 calories. I’ll take 3 please!