McDonald's Adds Apple Slices in Every Happy Meal

What is McDonalds doing to help our little ones and you become healthier? 

 By the beginning of 2012, McDonald's will be adding apples to all its Happy Meals and they have launched a nutrition-focused mobile phone app as part of a broader health push.  Hooray! McDonald's is introducing these healthy innovations as a reaction to consumers' and regulators' continual blame for health issues regarding childhood obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc.

McDonald's new program:

• McDonald's pledged to reduce sugars (happier teeth!), saturated fats and calories through "varied portion sizes, reformulations and innovations" by 2020. By 2015, it will reduce sodium by 15 percent.

• In July, McDonald's introduced a  new mobile app where you can "build your meal" & see all individual nutrition facts and totals for your desired meal. Among the nutritional info the new app provides, you can also find the McDonald's closest to you and see career opportunities.
• McDonald's USA president Jan Fields and other executives went on a "listening tour" in August to hear suggestions from parents and nutrition experts. The chain will also launch a new online forum for parents.

McDonald's has been working on it's healthy reputation and hip perception by offering free wi-fi access and adding smoothies and oatmeal to their menus. However, a small McDonald's strawberry banana smoothie still has 44g of sugar! Yikes. 

For Happy Meals, U.S. customers can already choose between apples or fries. But only about 11 percent of customers were ordering apples, the restaurant said. So by the beginning of next year, McDonald's will instead include a half-order of apples and a half-order of fries. Customers can get all fries or all apples if they ask. 

Why Kid's Dentistree Loves Apples!

• The mildly acidic nature and astringent quality of apples, combined with their rough, fiber-rich flesh, makes them the ideal food for cleansing and brightening teeth!
• Crunchy foods, including apples, celery and carrots (not potato chips!), act like little toothbrushes when you chew them! 

 Post Credits: Associate Press 2011 http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/EMIHC251/24479/8895/1406985.html?d=dmtICNNews 
Prevention.com

Is it TEETHING TIME?

Your baby is teething when his or her first set of teeth, called primary teeth, break through the gums.

PRIMARY TEETH

An infant's first teeth are called baby teeth or primary teeth. They usually start to come in (erupt) between 6 months and 12 months of age. A total of 20 primary teeth erupt by about 3 years of age. Children begin to lose their primary teeth between the ages of 6 and 11 years. They are replaced by secondary, or permanent teeth.

When Does Teething Typically Start?

• Usually beings around 6 months of age.
• It's normal for teething to start at any time between 3- 12 months.
• By the time your child is about 3, he/she will have all 20 primary teeth.
• The lower front teeth usually come in first.
• Upper front teeth usually come in 1 to 2 months after the lower front teeth.

Symptoms of Teething

• Soreness and swelling in the gums will make for a fussy baby
• These symptoms will begin about 3-5 days before the tooth shows, and they disappear as soon as the tooth breaks the skin.
• Babies may bite on their fingers or toys to help relieve the pressure
• May refuse to eat and drink because their mouths hurt
• Excessive drooling, which can cause a rash on the chin, face, or chest.

Keeping Your Little One Comfortable While Teething

• Give your baby a mild pain reliever that is labeled for his or her specific age. For example, acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) may help relieve your baby's discomfort. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20, because it has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious disease.
• Use a clean finger (or cold teething ring) to gently rub your baby's gum for about 2 minutes at a time. Many babies find this soothing, although they may protest at first.
• Provide safe objects for your baby to chew on, such as teething rings.

Post Credits: WebMD