Happy Meal

A children's meal sold by McDonald's

Happy Meal

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Alternative names
Type	Children's meal
Course
Place of origin	United States
Region or state
Associated national cuisine
Created by	McDonald's
Invented
Cooking time	minutes to minutes
Serving temperature
Main ingredients	Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Chicken McNuggets, French fries, Fruit, Soft drink
Ingredients generally used
Variations
Food energy	kcal
Nutritional value	Protein: g, Fat: g, Carbohydrate: g
Glycemic index
Similar dishes
Other information
Website	[ Official website]

A Happy Meal is a children's meal sold by the international fast food restaurant chain McDonald's. The first Happy Meal was introduced in June 1979. The meal typically includes a main item (such as a hamburger, cheeseburger, or Chicken McNuggets), a side item (such as French fries, apple slices, or a yogurt), and a drink (such as a soft drink, milk, or juice box). One of the key features of the Happy Meal is the inclusion of a small toy.

History

The concept of the Happy Meal was created by McDonald's advertising executive Bob Bernstein in the late 1970s. The idea was to create a meal specifically designed for children, which would include a toy to make the meal more appealing. The first Happy Meal was introduced in the United States in June 1979, and it quickly became a popular item on the McDonald's menu.

Components

A typical Happy Meal includes:

• A main item: options include a hamburger, cheeseburger, or Chicken McNuggets.
• A side item: options include French fries, apple slices, or a yogurt.
• A drink: options include a soft drink, milk, or a juice box.
• A toy: the toy is often themed around popular children's movies, television shows, or other forms of entertainment.

Marketing and Promotions

The Happy Meal is often used as a promotional tool by McDonald's. The toys included in the meal are frequently tied to current children's movies, television shows, or other popular forms of entertainment. This has included partnerships with major entertainment companies such as Disney, Warner Bros., and Nickelodeon.

Nutritional Information

In recent years, McDonald's has made efforts to make the Happy Meal healthier. This has included offering more nutritious side items such as apple slices and yogurt, as well as reducing the portion size of French fries. Additionally, McDonald's has introduced healthier drink options such as milk and juice boxes.

Controversies

The Happy Meal has been the subject of various controversies, particularly regarding its nutritional content and the marketing of fast food to children. Critics have argued that the inclusion of toys encourages children to consume unhealthy food. In response to these concerns, some regions have implemented regulations to limit the marketing of fast food to children.

See also

• McDonald's
• Children's meal
• Fast food
• Toy