Resurfaced ad from 1980 says: Maccas meals HEALTHIER than average Aussie meal – is this true?
- Replies 4
In a full-page newspaper advertisement from the 1980s that recently resurfaced on social media, a Maccas meal of a Big Mac, strawberry milkshake, and a side of fries was seen being advertised as "healthy dinner options for the whole family".
Alongside a full-colour picture of the fast-food meal, the headline read: "More than 55% of your daily protein needs."
"And a higher level of many vitamins and minerals than the average Australian meal," it continued, much to the amusement and disbelief of many foodies on the internet.
Do you believe this, members?
Credit: Facebook.
In a paragraph that followed the sensational headline and sub-heading, Maccas continued to encourage customers, especially parents, to buy their meals as a "healthy" meal alternative for them and their children. "We think our food is as good for you as it is good to eat," they said.
"We are not suggesting, of course, that a meal at McDonald's gives you all the nutrients you need," they later explained and broke down the nutritional value and benefits of their meals.
"A meal comprising of Big Mac, a Maccas strawberry milkshake, and a regular serving of fries provides a substantial proportion of your daily requirements of many nutrients, such as 40% of the body's required calories, 55% of the body's daily need for protein, and 50% of the body's required vitamins and minerals."
They also provided a nutrition information table showing the vitamins and minerals provided by their meals, such as Vitamin A, C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Iron, and Calcium.
Hundreds of users on Facebook were quick to mock the "misleading" advertisement from Maccas, especially its warped view of the meal's nutritional value.
"On the nutrition guide, they left out the fat and carb content," wrote one user in the comments section. Another agreed and added: "Especially the sugars and sodium content, too."
A third user chimed in, saying: "Love how they failed to mention anything about sugars or saturated fats."
A fourth one even joked: "This should be taken to the court for false advertisement."
However, not everyone slammed the old advertisement.
"It is not as bad as people think," one person wrote, adding: "But these days, people eat this as a snack and that's not good. Have it for lunch and skip dinner and lead an active lifestyle, then there would be no problems."
Some also admitted that they used to eat this Maccas meal back then and how they miss the "old times".
What are your thoughts, folks? Does this newspaper ad bring any nostalgic memories? What about this TV commercial below?
Credit: Bill McDonald
.png){kind=icon}
