McDonald's gets mchealthier

As part of a new initiative to offer more nutritional menu options, McDonald’s has made some drastic changes to its timeless kids' classic, the Happy Meal.

Since its introduction more than 30 years ago, Happy Meal options have always consisted of choice of burger or chicken nuggets, small soda, and small fries that, within recent years, could be replaced by apple dippers with caramel sauce. But thanks to a growing health conscious nation as well as concerns over McDonald’s impact on childhood obesity, the company has revamped the Happy Meal to make parents happier.

Starting in September every Happy Meal will come with apple slices—no caramel sauce—just good old fashioned apples. Along with apples, customers will also have the option of carrots, pineapple, oranges, or raisins. Fries will still be included (unless double fruit or veggies are requested), but the serving will be lowered from 2.4 ounces of the fried potatoes, to just 1.1 ounces.

Soda, once the go-to Happy Meal drink, will also be on the chopping block. One percent milk and nonfat chocolate milk will be the main Happy Meal libations, though soda will still be available upon special request.

These simple-yet-meaningful changes have yielded some significant results: A 20% decrease in calories, 15% decrease in sodium, and 20% reduction in saturated fat to be precise. Let's just hope kids will be as happy about the changes as their parents are.