McDonald's, An Experiment, and Health

*the following is a post in which I was compensated. All opinions and content are original and my own.

When you think of dieting and loosing weight, fast food, and especially McDonald's, is probably the last thing that may come to mind. Particularly after all of the backlash that fast food, and McDonald's has received over the past ten years.

John Cisna

Teacher John Cisna, set out to try a little experiment. A High school Biology teacher from Iowa, wanted to see what would happen if he tried to create the opposite of "Super Size Me". Many health and science teachers in our school system are now showing "Super Size Me" as part of their lessons in health and diet. "Super Size Me", a documentary that aired in 2004, followed American filmmaker Morgan Spurlock over a 30 day period in which he ate only McDonald's food. The documentary focuses on how Spurlock's psychological and physical well-being were affected and depicts the McDonald's corporation as greedy and encouraging poor nutrition for their own profits.

Morgan Spurlock did his test in 30 days, with three meals per day. He was to eat everything on the menu at least once, which he did in 9 days, Super Size any meal that he was asked to, and fully exist only on McDonald's products:  including any water he drank. He walked approximately two miles per day.

In 2013/14, John Cisna picked 3 students who were to plan what he was to eat and only pick items off of the menu that fulfilled a 2000 calorie diet per day. Cisna began walking 45 minutes per day 4-5 days per week, and drank tea and water in between meals. His project went for 3 months and in total he consumed 540 meals.



Many tried to convince him not to do this project. He was told it was "idiotic" and the results to his health were predicted to be grim. Even his medical doctor discouraged this project. Even the students were doubtful that his health would allow him to complete the project.

But, John Cisna LOST 37 pounds.  Not only did he lose weight, but his cholesterol and blood pressure dropped as well. (see the whole documentary here)

Myself, and other Wichita area bloggers with John Cisna

Now, John Cisna makes appearances at schools around the nation teaching others what he learned from eating 540 meals straight from McDonald's.  He is extremely passionate and emotional about what he wants to tell others about weight loss and food. A person who has always felt an inner longing to "change the world", he is now feeling that he has found purpose and meaning in the results of his study. Where Morgan Spurlock had no limits on how many calories he consumed per day, Cisna discovered that the biggest impact on your health is not as much of what you eat as how much you eat. Life is a series of choices, and choices on food can have a bigger impact to our overall health than most people are willing to admit or change. Too much of anything, even a good thing, can be harmful, and not helpful.

We live in a world of convenience and a fast paced society that demands it. In my house with four kids, McDonald's has always been a top pick, and, admittedly I have had a level of guilt in feeding it to them. Cisna doesn't believe that guilt is necessary if you are aware of the impact of your choices on your body and life. Diet is not always about calories alone, as each person may respond differently to different methods, but the bigger point here is in simply putting the responsibility into your own hands, and not that of a restaurant, a busy schedule, cravings, and the messages around us.

the order counter at the new, innovative
McDonald's at 21st and Greenwich Rd. 

McDonald's has progressively changed their menu selections and offerings, particularly with their children's choices with the addition of  sliced apples, go-gurt and cuties to Happy Meals. And making the less healthy options such as french fries, in smaller portions. The McDonald's website also reflects that intention with a fun "meal builder" that lets you see a nutritional breakdown of meal combinations that you make on your own. You can even subtract ingredients like cheese, to get your totals where you need them. There is even a page that lists "Favorites under 400" (calories).  McDonald's have heard those that have concerns on the effects of fast food on our bodies, and has Nutritional Experts on board that are constantly evolving the menu selections.  (See how a Happy Meal meets up to the US Dept. of Argriculture's MyPlate standards for nutrition here.)  
Take your family through the meal builder and pick out their meal items and see the totals before your next visit to a McDonald's. It's a great tool for teaching good choices and a foundation for healthy eating choices in the future.

I have a very nice prize pack from McDonald's for a lucky reader.
It includes a purple "Lovin' it" McDonald's T-shirt in size Large, a McDonald's notepad with pen, an insulated travel mug, a reusable shopping tote, and a $50 gift card to dine at McDonald's!!
Thanks so much to STERN advertising, The Raper family, McDonald's and John Cisna for providing the prizes, hospitality and the opportunity to visit with him in person! I will choose a winner on 4

See the Rafflecopter below to enter! Good luck!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

*this was a sponsored post in which I received compensation all opinions are my own.