modernmami™

Family Fun, Easy Recipes, Parenting Stories from Latina Mom & Tampa Blogger

Better Options with Fast Food: McDonald’s First Taste Lessons {Giveaway & Videos}

By 244 Comments

McDonald's New Menu Items

Last month I attended a McDonald’s First Taste event in New York City. The event was designed for media and bloggers to be able to sample some new menu items, meet with key McDonald’s representatives, and speak with McDonald’s nutrition manager and chef. We also had the opportunity to speak with a registered dietitian who focuses on nutrition in the Latino community.

While our family is not against fast food and do occasionally eat it, we realize that we need to be careful with our choices and monitor how much and how often we eat fast food. Attending the McDonald’s First Taste event allowed me to learn more about the various choices McDonald’s offers that will make a visit to the restaurant a more balanced visit, food-wise. I also learned about the Bag a McMeal section of the McDonald’s website, where you can choose menu items to create a more-balanced meal and monitor the nutritional information. This is good if you’re wanting to choose lower-calorie or lower-fat options from the McDonald’s menu before heading to your local McDonald’s. It definitely gives you a good perspective on what you may have been eating thus far and how you can choose better options.

I spoke with both Julia Braun, McDonald’s nutrition manager, and Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, an independent registered dietitian who focuses on nutrition in the Hispanic community. Both ladies provided insightful information regarding the McDonald’s menu. Check out the videos below to learn some tips from Sylvia on putting together a meal that meets your calorie needs, plus her take on what the Latino community can do to make healthier eating choices.

Sylvia Melendez-Klinger on Creating a Balanced Meal at McDonald’s

Sylvia Melendez-Klinger on How Latinos Can Eat Healthier

I also took the opportunity to ask Julia Braun about marketing to children at McDonald’s. Hear her response regarding McDonald’s stance on responsible marketing to children.

Julia Braun on Marketing to Children at McDonald’s

A couple of the new menu items we sampled included a mango pineapple smoothie, an Asian salad McDonald’s is bringing back for a limited time, and new sauces for the Chicken McNuggets, including a ranch sauce which will please my daughter who dips pretty much everything into ranch dressing. Of course, McDonald’s wants you to try out some of their new menu items, so they’re offering a giveaway to ModernMami™ readers with a gift card so you can do just that. Remember to also give the Bag a McMeal site a try and see what meal combinations you can come up with. Sylvia provided some tips on how you can even keep your meals around the 500 calorie mark. What 500-600 calorie meals can you create for a better fast food meal choice?

mcdonalds-gift-bag

McDonald’s Gift Bag Giveaway

One Three* readers will win a McDonald’s gift bag, which contains the following items:
*Update 6/11/11: I’ve been told by the PR company that I can giveaway three bags instead of just one!

  • Tips and recipes from Chef Dan
  • Lavender scented eye mask
  • Pineapple scented candle
  • Mango scented candle
  • Notebook with pen
  • Bamboo pen
  • Balance bracelet
  • $25 McDonald’s Arch Card

How to Enter

Required entry: If you’d like to enter this contest, simply leave a comment below telling us which McDonald’s 600-calorie (or less) meal combination you prefer.

Extra entries (optional):

Each of the following will count as 1 extra entry. You’ll need to leave a separate comment for each entry.

  1. Follow @modernmami on twitter.
  2. Tweet the following: Enter to win a McDonald’s gift bag & gift card from @modernmami! http://bit.ly/lKjQxv #mcdonalds #giveaway #contest
  3. Receive post updates by subscribing to our RSS feed. You can do so either via email or through a RSS reader. Leave a comment saying you did so or are already a subscriber.
  4. Subscribe on friendfeed and leave a comment with your friendfeed ID.
  5. Like ModernMami™.com on Facebook.
  6. Write a blog post on your own blog sharing the details of this contest. Be sure to include a link back to this post. Leave a comment with your post link.

All entries must be in by Friday, June 17, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. You must be 18 or older and have a valid U.S. address to enter. Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry. The winners will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email. (Please be sure to provide a valid email address with your entry.) Winners will have 48 hours to respond and claim prize, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: I attended the McDonald’s First Taste event courtesy of VPE PR and McDonald’s. All expenses paid. No compensation received.

Photo credits: McDonald’s

Reader Interactions

Comments

  6. Anonymous says

    I prefer a McChicken with a Kiddie Cone!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  7. Anonymous says

    I like ModernMami.com on Facebook – my FB name is Amanda Moore
    Thank you for the giveaway :)hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  8. Anonymous says

    I follow @ModernMami on Twitter – I’m  AmberGoo Thank you for the giveaway :)hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com 

    Reply

  12. Amanda says

    I have to pick the Premium Caesar Salad with Crispy Chicken and a chocolate chip cookie.

    magickalblessings26{at}yahoo.com

    Reply

  24. ELYSESW says

    I’d get a Southwest Salad w/o chicken and medium fries (must have) for a total of 520 calories. Mmmmmm

    Reply

  37. Anonymous says

    I went with the grilled chicken club and a side salad with Newman’s Own® Low Fat Family Recipe Italian Dressing.  Thank you!

    Reply

  38. Denise Blados says

    Actually, if I’m going to eat at McDonald’s, there’s no way my meal will be 600 calories or less.  I prefer to eat what I want and work it off.

    Reply

  47. Cathy Truman says

    I would like the Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken,no dressing,
    Dasani Water
    and Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream Cone
    Thanks Cathy Truman
    kbtruman(at)att(dot)net

    Reply

  52. Raven In A Blue Room says

    like the calorie calculator

    my meal would include: Honey Mustard Snack Wrap® (Grilled) and  Minute Maid® Orange Juice (Small) for together 410 calories

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

    Reply

  56. Raven In A Blue Room says

    I like     your blog     on facebook (Louis Here)

    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

    Reply

  57. mendyd15 says

    Prem. Bacon Ranch Grilled Chicken salad
    Butter garlic crutons
    Lagre sweet tea
    this would be my meal for a total of 330 calories

    Reply

  70. Sweetone62406 says

    I like Honey Mustard Grilled Snack Wrap, small french fry, side salad w/low fat family recipe Newman’s Own Italian dressing and a Dasani Water.

    Grilled Chicken Breast Filet60101003035010012
    6
    1
    80.5

    Flour Tortilla1404041.50033022114
    0
    0
    301.5

    Shredded Cheddar/Jack Cheese402532010751002
    100
    0
    700

    Shredded Lettuce00000000000
    0
    0
    00

    Tangy Honey Mustard Sauce1500000353020
    0
    0
    20

    Reply

  71. Sweetone62406 says

    I follow on twitter @LLLSummer:disqus

    sorry about that last comment being so long, copy/paste got wonky.

    Reply

  80. Caryn9802 says

    Lunch and dessert!  Premium Caesar Salad with Crispy Chicken and a chocolate chip cookie

    caryn9802 at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  91. Kendraco22 says

    I like the McChicken and try to stay away from fries, so a diet soda with that..
    thanks for the chance! awesome
    kendraco22 at yahoo dot com

    Reply

  108. Jessica C. says

    I’d prefer to get the Honey Mustard Snack Wrap and Strawberry Banana Smoothie (Medium)
    luckysluna(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply

  109. Debbie C says

    I could get a MacSnack Wrap, small fries and a Dasani water and still be only 560 calories.

    dchrisg3 (at)  gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  118. Carol F says

    I would pick the Mac Snack Wrap,Medium Non Fat Latte and a side salad for 460 calories
    carolkfoster at comcast dot net

    Reply

  125. Katharina says

    The awesome meal I’d put together for just 440 calories:
    Honey Mustard Snack Wrap® (Grilled)  Side Salad with Newman’s Own® Creamy Southwest DressingNonfat Cappuccino (Small)  Total :  440
    Katharina  angelsandmusic[at]gmail[dot]com

    Reply

  128. Dara Nix says

    I put together a Premium Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken, Newman’s Own® Creamy Caesar Dressing, and a large Diet Coke and it is ONLY 410 calories!  YUM!
    kitty32504 at cox dot net

    Reply

  133. Elle says

    I would get the Premium Grilled Chicked Classic Sandwich and Apple dippers with Lot Fat Caramel Dip. Thanks for the chance! 🙂
    whitechocolatecherries at gmail.com

    Reply

  156. Annulla says

    The McDonald’s 600-calorie meal combination I prefer is the Snack Size Fruit & Walnut Salad and the Large Strawberry Banana Smoothie. Total calories = 540. 
    annulla (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  158. Purehrt555 says

    I would get the southwest salad with Crispy chicken (530 calories) but I leave off the crispy lime tortilla strips, so it brings it down to 490 calories :0)  yummo

    Reply

  163. Ashley says

    I like the 6 piece nuggets and small fry with water or iced tea to drink.

    ashaldridge
    (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  172. Theresa says

    Premium Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken , Apple Dippers with Low Fat Caramel Dip , Diet Coke® (Small), and Newman’s Own® Low Fat Family Recipe Italian Dressing  , All for 420 Calories! Good Deal!

    Reply

  180. Amied027 says

    I would choose the honey mustard grilled chicken wrap with a side salad and low fat Italian dressing and apple dippers for dessert!  My fave meal!

    Reply

  196. nicole greene says

    I would get the

    Premium Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken and a small fry for a total of 490 calories!

    Reply

  211. Karen says

    My meal would be a McDouble, Large unsweetened ice-tea and a side salad (under 500 calories).  Thanks.

    Reply

  227. Msurosey says

    For 670 calories I can get the perfect combo of a Premium Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken and a Small Mocha Frappe.

    Grilled Chicken Breast Filet1202020.506571020124
    15
    3
    150.5

    Salad Mix3000000256332
    7590
    8
    451

    Grape Tomatoes100000003020
    310
    11
    40

    Shredded Parmesan Cheese50353.52.50101501005
    140
    0
    1300

    Reply

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