Move to ban Happy Meal toys makes this writer unhappy

Hi, I'm Deb and I buy my kids Happy Meals. And sometimes, I even eat them myself.

Phew! It felt good to get that off my chest.

These days, it seems if we parents feed our children anything but whole grain bread, brown rice and veggies from our backyard gardens we're in danger of hearing from child welfare authorities.

I'm a big, make that huge, proponent of serving healthy meals (just ask my 7- and 10-year-old boys!) but I also leave room in the menu for a trip through the McDonald's drive-through for Happy Meals. For my boys it's more about the toys than the food, which is fine with me, but not fine with the folks at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

CSPI announced its intent to sue Oak Brook-based McDonald's if the fast food giant doesn't top "using toys to market junk food to children."

"McDonald's use of toys undercuts parental authority and exploits young children's developmental immaturity - all this to induce children to prefer foods that may harm their health. It's a creepy and predatory practice that warrants an injunction," said CSPI litigation director Stephen Gardner. My theory is Gardner's still upset he didn't complete his collection of Teenie Beanies.

CSPI says each of the possible 24 Happy Meal combinations exceeds 430 calories (one-third of the recommended caloric intake for kids 4 to 8). I figure if a 5-year-old eats only raisins and a cheese stick at lunch, then a 640-calorie Happy Meal at dinner evens things out for the day.

As parents, we have the final say in what's in front of our children at meal time and if it's McDonald's every once in a while, then so be it.

But it's not just about kids and toys. Walk around your office and you might spy a Yoda bobble head or a "Finding Nemo" squirting Dory on a co-worker's desk. On a particularly dismal day a group from work got Happy Meals for lunch and guess what, "American Idol" Hippie Harmony cheered us up.

That said, I wouldn't mind it if McDonald's widened the variety of healthful items available in a Happy Meal or even gave the desirable toys away with any order for kids 10 and younger - grilled chicken wraps and yogurt parfaits (370 calories combined if you're counting) score points with several kids I know.

So to the Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson and the others at CSPI, remember: Those little packs of Hot Wheels, Barbies and Teenie Beanies bring smiles and make many people, well, happy.

Grilling guide: The biggest single grilling day of the season is just around the corner. Are you ready?

Even if you think you are, check out STFSavorTheFlavor.com.

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in Sonoma and Chicago-based grilling guru Elizabeth Karmel launched the site to be a go-to source for summertime grilling recipes and wine pairings with advice, tips and tricks that will allow novices and masters alike to maximize the grilling experience.

The site also includes a free, downloadable handbook designed to encourage gals to cook with live fire, plus links to video and wine-pairing contests. A chance to win a trip to Sonoma to visit St. Francis Winery is on the line.

- Deborah Pankey

• Contact Food Editor Deborah Pankey at food@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4524. Listen to her discuss food and restaurant trends on Restaurant Radio Chicago, 5 to 6 p.m. Saturdays on WIND 560 AM.