Happy Meals

I Stumbled across this article on Homemade Happy Meals today. While I very much back up the idea that it certainly can be a low cost alternative, I have a few questions.

What are you really paying for at the fast food chain?

• The first image you see is of the standard receptacle - that brightly colored box/bag that kids everywhere can instantly recognize. The box alone draws so much attention and creates activities to keep little brains and hands busy and thinking.
• Alternative: Find online or make your own little activity sheets and have that along-side your homemade kids meal. Does the child focus more on the box/bag aspect? Create your own paper sack (a white lunch bag would work best here). You can add your own images or messages and make it personal.
• The next issue I see popping up (keep in mind, we're thinking form a child's perspective) should technically be the first addressed. The TOY. The toy is the first item that pops into a child's head. It is the draw of a miniature version of the media's current obsession that the child is allured to.
• Alternative: Scrounge garage sales, hit up your local Freecycle or Craigslist for gently used tiny toys or even old happy meal toys. The more expensive option is to hit up the dollar bins at the markets.
• Speaking of media, the fast food chain has a familiar, world recognized, icon for children. Everyone recognizes this familiar, fun-loving character. Why have something from someone only you can recognize when you can have something from someone that everyone knows? This is the child's way of keeping up with the Jones'. I know because I thought this way. I wanted kids meals because the other kids I knew got kids meals. Flashy commercials, colorful advertisements, catchy jingles and characters created specifically for kids creates another aspect of the want.
• Alternative: Have that recognized face send your kid a note saying he took the day off and designated mom/dad as a (better, more appropriate) replacement. Gain = the parent is the hero.
• The food is actually the cheapest aspect of the kids meal.

What are you sacrificing? Besides the money.
When the parent succumbs to the begging and pleading of their children's demand for the kids meal, said children are usually with the parent. We're keeping this scenario in mind. The child is with the parent.

How much time does it take to go to the grocery store, get home and prepare the homemade version of kids meal - kids kicking and screaming all the while. Keep in mind you have to travel through several departments to get all the necessities for said meal. Granted the grocery shopping would be a one time thing since you can buy in bulk and store the rest. But what if the kid wants french fries instead of apple slices? Or prefers a soda over the milk. We're only addressing the time and money right now, not the nutritious aspect. Both fries and soda more preparation time and more wallet strain.

It is certainly quicker and easier to hop in the car, drive to the chain and pick up a kids meal and let the kids eat in the car. You can't do that with your homemade version. The children won't see the end result of the homemade version - even with your secret stash of alternatives. They only see weird packages and healthy food that they just know they won't like in grocery bags.

Let's track back to the nutrition aspect. When it comes down to it, you're concerned that your kids are eating fatty fried food. You may also be concerned about the actual 'meat' product because you don't know what part of what animal and if there's anything else hidden in that tasty little nugget of fried .... I shudder. You want the alternative of something cheaper but similar and healthier too. You can bake those frozen nuggets instead of frying them. Same with the french fries if you're offering them. But the food industry is a tricky and secretive minefield. That brand name prepared chicken is the devil in disguise, even though it boasts all white breast meat. Just ask any animals rights activist - there's a whole world of wrong going on behind the scenes of the most well know chicken marketer. So you've done your research and want an even better option? Go organic (or even further, grow your own), go green and go home with even less money. We all know organics are expensive and everything else is cheaper.

Am I condoning the purchase and consumption of fast food? No. But until people (markets and firms) and stop focusing on their own gain and focus on the well being of the people at large, we will not find the quality and quantity we want and need at a price we can afford.