The Times, They are A'Changin'

Above: Movie poster to the 2004 film Super Size Me.

1995. The summer of McDonald's was the way I named it. Every Monday to Friday for lunch, my dad and I would go. I think we made a multi Mickey-D's trip, with one of them with the classic red/brown roof, one of them inside a Wal-Mart, and another with modern - and quite hip - styling. My menu looked like this:

A Daily Double (think Mickey D's version of the Whopper, Jr.)
A Small French Fry
A 16 oz Hi-C or Coke/Sprite Mix, with another refill.

Mind you I also was a growing 10-year-old boy with metabolism as fierce as a tiger. So, even after a full summer, before going back to school, I didn't gain many pounds. Oh I forgot, I was also totally a fan of those 7-eleven Super Slurpees (40 ounces of Brain Freeze goodness) too.

Every time my mom would come home and ask where my dad and I ate, she'd always say, "Again?"

2010. My dad and I have spent the time I've been home going to Mickey-D's once again, but this time around, especially with a metabolism more like that of a slug, traditional fast food doesn't go down well with me, so my ordering off the menu has changed:

A Wrap (either Mac, or a Grilled Chicken Chipotle)
A Side Salad
A Fruit & Yogurt parfait
A Water or a 16-oz Diet Coke, with refills

Ever since the movie with the quite appropriate name came out, McDonald's has impressed me with its healthy options. I've done the calorie calculations and the above meal calculates in at about 550-700 calories/kcals (depends on my wrap, dressing, and crouton preferences), and doesn't really blow me out of the water in terms of fat content or cholesterol. It's a pretty balanced meal.

So, nowadays, this goes to show that going to Mickey-D's isn't synonymous with bad food anymore, provided the right choices off the menu are made. And that's why Americans are getting larger and acquiring health problems as portrayed (sometimes exaggerated) in Super Size Me, some people just make the wrong choices and say those three deadly words at the counter when ordering.

However, don't get me wrong: although times have changed in the way I eat, my mom still says "Again?" when she comes home from work. I'm used to it... so is my dad.