The relationship between kids and McDonald's

Every kid I know of is a fan of McDonalds. The advertising is everywhere and the generational torch of fast-food eating is passed down from parent to child. Combined with hectic lifestyles that require on-the-go eating lifestyles, the chain just keeps on serving.

But is fast food an acceptable part of a child's diet? That depends on how you look at the situation. Smaller McDonalds meals and Happy Meals turn into larger Big Macs and super-size fries later in life, a fact most likely statistically proven by McDonald's as it sinks the lifelong customer hook into the mouths of kids.

It's fine to eat at McDonald's, but meals -- like always -- need to be thought of in terms of calories and other things like sodium intake. McDonalds has a full nutrition facts guide posted at its website, so why not make the healthiest choice on all those future visits?