Tulsa World: Toys not healthy for tot's menus

MAKE US YOUR HOMEPAGE | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 | WIRELESS

Home > News > Article

Newspaper View Print this story

Comment

RSS

Bookmark

Toys not healthy for tot's menus

By GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer
Published: 11/23/2009 2:27 AM
Last Modified: 11/23/2009 4:19 AM

The same day our front page featured doughnuts, a cigarette and a headline proclaiming our state the second unhealthiest place to live, my 5-year-old son begged for a Burger King kids meal.

Until seven months ago, our family never frequented the hamburger royalty chain. But, he heard they had Transformers toys.

Then, McDonald's featured figures from the "Aliens vs. Monsters" movie.

At one point, Sonic had a funky straw he just couldn't live without.

Fast-food joints have provided our children mini-rocket launches, Wizard of Oz collectibles, spy gear, art supplies, Hot Wheels cars, Barbie dolls, sunglasses, games and endless amounts of television- and movie-related items.

Unlike the early era of Happy Meals, the toys are cool. They are fun. They are awesome at getting kids through their doors.

Marketing to kids isn't new, and it isn't going to end.

So as parents, we learn from it, work with it and even use it to our advantage.

Food for thought

Like mothers with discounts, kids know where to go for the good stuff.

The elementary information network of playgrounds, hallways and cafeterias is better than a real-time Web site at tracking the coolest selections.

A trend: The best toys come from locations with the fattiest offerings.

Every place gives healthy options. But no matter how you dress it up, an apple is not an equal substitute for french fries.

Restaurants need to understand one thing. Kids know toy quality.

Burger shacks long ago mastered the art of tapping young appetites and interests.

I adore my sandwich shops. But it would be easier to pitch a salad to my kids if an action hero or baby doll were in the middle of it.

Sorry, but cards with exercise fun facts just doesn't do it.

At one of my favorite, more health-conscious eateries, the toy was a long-winded book about some dull talking animals.

The paper was cheap, the storyline ridiculous and illustrations straight out of trace-me college.

Encouraging reading is admirable. But give out entertaining literature kids will come back for.

My son balked at the second-rate book, and an employee traded it for an ice cream.

So much for healthy eating.

Collective bargaining

Back to the BK request. We entered into family negotiations to come up with a settlement by which we could all agree.

My kindergartner played hardball, making lofty promises of making his bed for a week in exchange for a full sleeve of fries.

Our side countered with a fruit cup for an additional chore of hanging up his clothes.

The final contract contained chicken nuggets, apples and half a small order of fries to be shared with his little sister.

He got to have it mostly his way, complete with a "Planet 51" movie action figure.

In return, the dog should be fed on time, the table set each night and bedtime adhered to without complaint.

Most importantly, I hope to get a healthy child aware that toys are not worth payment in calories, and that he is ultimately responsible for what he eats. By GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer

Newspaper View Print this story

Comment

RSS

Bookmark

Reader Comments

Show: Most Recent Comment First

Add your comment

6 comments have been made on this story so far. Tell us what you think below!

Reporting Comments

If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

	Report Comment Elusive, Owasso (11/23/2009 3:39:27 AM) Many of these fast food places do offer grilled chicken or other more healthful foods. I'm sure they would offer you a toy if you bought that for your child. I agree, they should offer a more healthy kids meal, it is similar to our stores putting candy or sugary cereals at eye level for kids in stores.
	Report Comment my view, Sand Springs (11/23/2009 9:05:15 AM) In my younger days back in the late 40's and 50's my parents never concern themselves to much with the nurtrition value of meals bought at a hamburger stand. To get a burger and a bottle of pop was a treat that you didn't often get. That was during a era when Moms cooked and parents knew how to say no and mean it.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (11/23/2009 9:10:20 AM) McDonalds is offering apple slices and milk now for kids and they still get the toy.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/23/2009 11:25:22 AM) So Ginnie, I read this as you are exposing your kindergartner to the world of fast food instead of fixing healthy food at home. McNuggets and fries gets the little fellow hooked on fried foods early in his life. All for a toy.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/23/2009 11:26:42 AM) Lucky girl, that's a good suggestion. Apples and milk is right for the tykes.
	Report Comment Elusive, Owasso (11/24/2009 1:54:40 AM) We always choose cereal by how a good toy it might have in it that week.

Add Your Comment
In order to post a comment on this article, you must sign in to Tulsaworld.com. If you do not have a site account, you can create an account for free.