The restaurant known for its golden arches has begun phasing out the larger portions of its golden fries.
By the end of 2004, the seven-ounce cartons of fries and 42-ounce drinks that comprise the Super Size menu options will no longer be available.
According to a McDonald’s press release, the change is an attempt to simplify the menu and restaurant operations and provide a “balance of choices for the customers.”
According to CNN.com, Walt Wicker, McDonald’s spokesperson, said the phasing-out of Super Size items has “nothing to do with” the film “Super Size Me.”
The Sundance Award-winning documentary, “Super Size Me,” followed filmmaker Morgan Spurlock as his health deteriorated and his waistline expanded while he ate a diet consisting only of McDonald’s for a month, according to the the Sundance Web site.
Autumn Douglas, dietician at the Wellness Education Department, said she believes the menu change is a good thing but, “generally speaking, removing Super Size from the menu does not make a huge difference.”
“A lot of people don’t think about it ’till they ask ‘Would you like that Super Sized,'” she said. “We try to teach it’s okay to have everything, but in moderation.”
Douglas said many restaurants are taking steps to provide healthier selections because people are more concerned about health.
McDonald’s added a variety of entree salads during the past year. The salads have been successful menu items at the restaurant on State Street, a restaurant employee said.
Douglas said she believes fast-food restaurants should offer healthy food at lower costs.
Kelly, a manager of the McDonald’s in the Union who refused to give her last name, said out of 13,000 customers, 32 purchase Super Size meals in a day.
“It won’t have a big impact,” Kelly said. “I don’t think most people will miss it.”
Laura Erato, an elementary education sophomore, said she believes the elimination of Super Sized items is a “good thing.”
“A large fry is too much,” she said. “Kids eat all their fries before they touch their burgers.”
Abram Henderson, a computer science freshman, said the change does not matter to him because “it’s just a bigger drink and a few more fries.”