When it comes to make believe diets, I'm putting McDonald's at the top of my list. At the same time that Shrek is being unveiled by McDonald's in their new campaign to promote salads, milk and apple slices as a healthier alternative for kids, Shrek will also be promoting products like M&M's chocolates and Kellogg cereals, such as Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes. It looks like this beloved 3D animated ogre will be on a make believe diet battling obesity, while sending kids a mixed message about healthy eating. Eating healthy and McDonald's in the same sentence is a perplexing oxymoron for parents. Did you know that McDonald's apple slices are served with a low fat caramel dip containing 43 grams of sugar? Hardly a healthy choice for anyone especially those watching their ogre-ish figure. The last time I checked, obesity among animated characters was not considered a
national crisis. Though make believe obesity has hit the big green guy pretty hard.
Shrek, Donkey and other characters from the new "Shrek the Third"
film will be in force selling Happy Meals along with other McDonald's food
in tandem with the films release. Happy Meals contain about 9 grams of
fat, up to 28 grams of fat depending upon the meal you choose. Calories
range from 370 up to 710 calories on some Happy Meal selections. So while kids
are watching Shrek get thinner on his make believe diet they will
still be packing on the pounds in real life. I believe the idea here
is for Shrek to sell those Happy Meals regardless if they are healthy for
kids or not. He's Shrek, he eats like a disgusting ogre and clearly
shops at a mens big and tall shop. Suddenly he's slimming down at
McDonald's? Wow! That's a stretch!
Kids may be prone to buying into manipulative
marketing, but this scheme does not even try to be clever in my
opinion. Not even kids will be fooled by this kind of make believe
socially responsible marketing. If you eat like Shrek does and choose to eat where
Shrek eats, you will most likely become portly just like Shrek. I'll let
parents decide for themselves how to break the bad news to their kids
that Shrek will return to his typical chubby self again soon after
exiting the golden arches posters. If they even notice a slimmer Shrek at all.
The McDonald's diet does not work kids! Ask daddy. Like Shrek, it's only make believe. Trust Mr. Besilly on this one. I've tried that make believe diet myself and minus the green skin tone and bald head, I'm still sporting my own ogre-like figure as my proof-of-purchase. So pass the M&M's and buttered popcorn, chubby Shrek bounces into theaters on May 18th with his eating disorder in tact. I just bounced out of a restaurant battling with my own. McDonald's launches their skinny Shrek trek on May 11th. I wish happy and healthy eating to kids everywhere in the land of make believe.
“Why would young children follow Shrek’s advice about healthy living and ignore his entreaties to eat Happy Meals and Pop-Tarts?” Susan Linn Source MSNBC
Shrek and McDonald's - what a bad combination! I hope parents would be more smart and choose the best food for their kids. Has anyone seen 'Super Size Me'?
Posted by: Windy | May 10, 2007 at 09:05 AM
You are so good! It's all in the marketing! Shrek!
Be safe...
Posted by: Lora | May 10, 2007 at 07:42 PM
After the blog I just wrote, I needed to read something funny. Good job!
Posted by: Theresa111 | May 11, 2007 at 04:07 PM
Great blog! I thought you might enjoy reading my take on Shrek as the new obesity czar:
http://juliahavey.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/04/the_shrekthe_ne.html
Posted by: Julia Havey | May 15, 2007 at 12:38 PM