Free Republic

Bowing to pressure from health advocates and parents, McDonald’s is putting the Happy Meal on a diet. The company announced Tuesday that it would more than halve the amount of French fries and add fruit to its popular children’s meal in an effort to reduce the overall calorie count by 20 percent. But McDonald’s appeasement only went so far. A toy will still come with each Happy Meal despite criticism that the trinkets, often with tie-ins to movies like “Toy Story,” foster a powerful connection between children and the often calorie-laden meals. While Happy Meals account for less than 10...

Michelle Obama is a cover girl this week – see the new issue of Better Homes and Gardens – and it’s just what her husband needs. In fact, here’s a pretty good rule of thumb for any president: When the going gets tough, put the inevitably more-popular first lady out front – preferably doing something fun and breezy. Give the public a break from all that stressful talk of debt ceilings and economic calamity and scorching heat.

First Lady Michele Obama today announced that several large grocery chains, including Walmart, will add 1,500 new grocery stores over the next five years in poor communities that lack access to fresh foods. The stores are expected to reach 9.5 million people. The First Lady called the initiative a "game-changer for kids and communities all across this country." "We can give people all the information and advice in the world about healthy eating and exercise, but if parents can't buy the food they need to prepare those meals because their only options for groceries are the gas station or the...

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama buys French fries and fat cakes at a restaurant in a Botswana village. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.Video at

When his wife unveiled the USDA's new nutritional plate yesterday, there definitely wasn't a space for chili dogs. But that didn't stop Barack Obama wolfing down two in Toledo today - with fries and an extra bowl of chili on the side.