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Nutritionist Claudia Gonzalez, R.D. Shares Healthy Family Friendly Fast Food Tips for Summer Travel

Posted on: Wednesday, 23 May 2007, 06:00 CDT

ROSELAND, N.J., May 23 /PRNewswire/ -- According to AAA, 38.3 million Americans will be driving this Memorial Day Weekend, kicking off a summer filled with 'Are we there yet?' Claudia Gonzalez, registered dietician, mother of three and author of Gordita Doesn't Mean Healthy: What Every Latina Mother Needs to Know to Raise Happy and Healthy Kids, has simple tips that every mother should know to keep the crankiest backseat passengers content.

Claudia suggests planning ahead before a long trip with the family. -- Car Rides Can Be Fun -- Bring small surprises for kids to play with during long trips. A compass is great, especially for young travelers to help keep track of the direction the car is headed. Classic games, such as 20 Questions or the license plate game are always fun for the entire family. Print out a list of the fifty states to check off which ones are seen. -- Pack A Ton of Healthy Treats -- Always have a stash of cut up veggies and fruit to munch on. String cheese and individual applesauce containers are also favorites among even pickiest backseat passengers. -- Get Active -- After a long road trip, it is important for everyone in the family to get outside and be active. Try to pack or rent bikes to sightsee on the vacation or bring a Frisbee -- they are small, portable and perfect for kids and adults -- Fast Food Doesn't Have To Be Unhealthy! -- Stopping for a meal on the road is inevitable, but that doesn't mean it has to be bad for you. McDonald's Happy Meal Choices give children and their parents the opportunity to replace traditional Happy Meal favorites like French fries and soft drinks with Happy Meal Choices: Apple Dippers, fresh, peeled apple slices, served with a low fat caramel dipping sauce, and beverage choices including 1% low fat white or chocolate milk jugs. When compared to the classic homemade lunch of a ham sandwich, chips and juice with 540 calories and 21 grams of fat, the Chicken McNugget Happy Meal with only 420 calories and 13 grams of fat is the smarter option. Child passengers are always thrilled when they stop at McDonald's and they get a Happy Meal with Chicken Nuggets, Apple Dippers, milk and of course a toy. Not forgetting the rest of the family, Claudia is a huge fan of their Premium Salad choices.

"Traveling with the family during the summer months should be an enjoyable experience, not a stressful one," Claudia says. "These easy tips will help families prepare for a long ride and educate them that getting physical activity and eating the right foods will ultimately make their passengers and travel experience fun!"

About McDonald's New York Metro Region

McDonald's is the world's best-known brand and is the global leader in food service. There are more than 650 McDonald's restaurants, owned by 200 franchisees, located throughout the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Tri-State area. For more information, please visit http://www.mcdonaldsnymetro.com/.

About Claudia Gonzalez

Claudia Gonzalez, registered dietician and mother of 3 (ages 10-16). She is the author of Gordita Doesn't Mean Healthy: What Every Latina Mother Needs to Know to Raise Happy and Healthy Kids, has served for six years as a spokesperson in charge of Latino affairs for the American Dietetic Association. She has more than ten years of experience working as a pediatric dietician in private practice as well as for government programs. Her nutrition columns can be found in Shape en Espanol, Univision.com and MiDieta.com. She lectures regularly on a variety of nutrition and health issues to national and international health organizations.

McDonald's New York Metro Region

CONTACT: Zoe Hamburger, MWW Group, +1-201-460-2847, zhamburger@mww.com

Web site: http://www.mcdonaldsnymetro.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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