Killjoy experts have called for McDonald’s to rename its famous Happy Meal, claiming the impact on our physical and mental health is anything but joyous.
In a statement published today, behavioural psychologist Dr Heather McKee said: ‘The so-called Happy Meal is far from it.
‘Its ingredients take a toll on gut health and mood – let alone the environmental consequences. Rebranding it as “unhappy” would be closer to the truth.’
Dr McKee was speaking in partnership with plant-based food brand Happiee in calling for a ban on food brands using the term ‘happy’ to promote what they described as ‘junk food’.
Joining their call is registered nutritionist Dr Frankie Phillips, who claimed ingredients used in foods like Happy Meals fail cause a ‘mood crash’.
‘Foods high in fat, sugar and salt might be lacking the types of fibre that support the gut bacteria that can influence mood and happiness,’ she said.
‘Peaks in blood sugar after a hit of simple carbs can be followed by a slump, leaving us feeling miserably low in energy.
‘Swapping for complex, fibre-rich carbs, releasing sugars more slowly into the bloodstream, can help stabilise mood.’
Behavioural psychologist Dr Heather McKee claimed: ‘The so-called Happy Meal is far from it. ‘Its ingredients take a toll on gut health and mood – let alone the environmental consequences. Rebranding it as “unhappy” would be closer to the truth.’
Joining their call was registered nutritionist Dr Frankie Phillips who claimed ingredients used in foods like Happy Meals failed to deliver on their promise
Dr McKee was speaking alongside plant-based food brand Happiee in calling for a ban on food brands using the term ‘happy’ to promote what they called ‘junk food’. Pictured McDonald’s Happy Meal
But independent nutrition experts told MailOnline calls for a ban were an ‘overreaction’ and seemed to be part of a promotional stunt for a ‘healthy’ food brand instead of a serious suggestion for the nation’s health.
Professor Gunter Kuhnle, an expert in nutrition and food science at the University of Reading said: ‘I think they’re just jumping on to the bandwagon of vilifying junk food to promote a competing product.’
‘This statement appears to be mainly promotional material for “Happiee”’.
The call for ban came as part of a publicity stunt in which a Happiee food truck showed up at a McDonald’s outlet to distribute its own plant-based ‘Happiee Meal’.
This meal contained beetroot fries, a butter bean salad, tomato salsa and a breaded plant-based imitation ‘shrimp’ made from tapioca and root vegetables.
The brand claims that the ingredients in this meal can ‘boost’ mood and gut health.
But Professor Kuhnle said a McDonald’s Happy Meal isn’t void of any health benefits, depending on the options chosen.
‘It includes some vegetables such as carrot sticks, and you can choose water instead of a soft drink which is sensible, and there’s the option of fish fingers,’ he said.
‘Fish fingers can be an important source of fish – especially for children who often do not like other types of fish. They often contain fatty acids that are beneficial for the brain.’
The call for ban came as part of a publicity stunt where a Happiee food truck showed up at a McDonald’s outlet to distribute its own plant-based ‘Happiee Meal’
This contained Beetroot Fries, a Harissa Butterbean Salad, Tomato Salsa and a breaded plant-based imitation ‘shrimp’ made of tapioca and root vegetables
Professor Kuhnle added that, while a head-to-head comparison was limited, Happiee’s shrimp-product wasn’t necessarily healthier than fish fingers.
He noted that, based on nutritional information published online, Happiee’s shrimp contained more fat (9.7g per 100g) than McDonald’s fish finger meal (6.2g).
As part of the promotion, Happiee spokesperson Rosie Bambaji said: ‘We’re calling on brands to rethink the way they shape British food culture with the language they use.
‘It’s time for them to step up and embrace a future where food can truly contribute to the wellbeing of its customers, beyond offering a pack of carrots as an alternative.’
While decried by critics as a nanny-state measure, there have been increasing efforts to control the language and messaging on ultra-processed food labels to help Brits to make healthier food choices.
For example, a junk food advertising ban will come into action from October this year, making it illegal to advertise ‘less healthy’ food and drink on TV before the 9pm watershed and online.
Calorie labels, introduced in 2022, which require businesses to detail how many calories a product contains, are another measure introduced to help tackle rising obesity.
But a recent and major review found it only cuts the equivalent of two almonds worth of calories per meal, which experts described as ‘modest’ but ‘meaningful’ in the long-term.
Latest childhood health data for England shows one in 10 children are obese by the time they start primary school, rising to about one in five among Year 6.
Meanwhile, two thirds of adults are now too overweight compared to just half in the mid-90s. Of those, about a quarter are obese.
In terms of obesity, this is equivalent to 16.8million people of which an estimated 8million are women, 7.4million men, 760,000 boys and 590,000 girls.
