Weight Watchers McDonald's causes concern in Bay

A Hawke's Bay dietician and sports nutritionist has raised concerns that a fast food chain's link with Weight Watchers would "normalise" eating takeaways.
Weight Watchers has endorsed three McDonald's meals, a Filet-O-Fish burger, Chicken McNuggets and a Sweet Chilli Seared Chicken Wrap, that each cost 6.5 Weight Watchers "points" from the 18 to 40 point daily quota.
Hastings registered dietician and sports nutritionist Janine Williams said she was not against takeaways, but was concerned the diet-friendly endorsement might draw people through the door, much like the Healthy Options menu had done.
But people would buy burgers anyway. "The danger is that people will come in and think McDonald's is in conjunction with Weight Watchers and won't necessarily choose the healthier option," she said.
People needed to learn to cook and prepare more food at home, choose their food carefully and limit higher fat options to treats, "not every day".
Food experts in Hawke's Bay are both optimistic and cautious about the new association.
The meal change has come about through staff being trained to make the meals the same each time, with the same amount of sauce, to keep points consistent.
Nutritionist Alison Cowell of Healthy Eating, based in Taradale, Waipukurau and Napier, applauded the move and said McDonald's had moved with the times to provide "healthier, lighter" options.
"I think anything that makes people stop and think about what they are eating is all for the good," she said.
"If people are diet-conscious, they won't be walking in the door in the first place. It was not McDonald's fault if people opted to go for the fatty options instead.
"You're still going to get the people who want the fatty burgers," she said.
The three options are served with diet soft drinks/water and a salad.
McDonald's New Zealand managing director Mark Hawthorne said there were plans to extend the Weight Watchers menu items.
Weight Watchers spokesman Chris Stirk said the partnership had been formed after similar alliances with other restaurant chains in the UK and US.
 Robyn Toomath, spokeswoman for the Fight the Obesity Epidemic group, said the move would be okay if it convinced existing McDonald's customers to pick a less-fatty food option.
Marcus Pohio, owner of the Hastings McDonald's franchise, said on the first day yesterday the lines sold well.
Customer Nathan Mudgeway, "a bit of a fast food junkie", said he tended to go for "greasier stuff".
"But it's worth a shot," he said.