Ban McDonald’s at 2012 London Olympics or Make Smart Choices?

The sole choice for food all day every day at the 2012 London Olympics is McDonald’s. Or is it?

CNN OutFront host Erin Burnett {@ErinBurnett} reported that McDonald’s is building its largest restaurant in the world in Olympic Park and that it will be the only branded food available in the park during the games. Burnett pointed out the irony of the situation, and McDonald’s responded that they were “surprised and disappointed by her comments.”

The chain referred to the “choice and variety on our menu, with items like grilled chicken, yogurt, oatmeal, fruit salad, smoothies and wraps. And of course, we’re proud of our iconic burgers.”

The perceived lack of options this situation presents struck a chord with Burnett. On July 6, she provided viewers with a sample menu—food items and calories—Olympic attendees may consume on a typical day:

BREAKFAST
Oatmeal 290
Iced coffee 140
Orange juice 280
Meal calorie total: 710

LUNCH
Salad 110
Chicken wrap 250
Smoothie 220
Meal calorie total: 580

DINNER
Big Mac 550
Fries 380
Coke 210
Milkshake 510
Meal calorie total: 1,710

Burnett pointed out that this menu yields 3,000 calories—76% more than the USDA requires per day for women. These 3,000 calories include 79 teaspoons of sugar, six tablespoons of shortening, and 10.4 packets of salt. Because of stats like these, and McDonald’s overall reputation for not being the healthiest of fast food choices, Jenny Jones, a London Assembly Member, appeared on the show via phone to publicly call for a ban on McDonald’s at this year’s games.

While I’m not a huge McDonald’s fan myself, I agree with Reason Magazine Editor Katherine Mangu-Ward who also appeared to debate Jones on the restaurant ban. As an Olympic attendee or reporter, having only one branded restaurant available does indeed suck. However, you still have choices, starting with the McDonald’s menu.

Let’s take a look at Burnett’s proposed meal plan. If I were making health-conscious decisions, I’d start with what I drink. I’d avoid the coffee and orange juice for breakfast (saving 420 calories), the smoothie at lunch (saving 220 calories) and the Coke and milkshake at dinner (saving 720 calories) and drink water instead. With the spare 1,360 calories, I’d probably add some foods like an egg mcmuffin (300 calories) at breakfast and an apple pie (250 calories) at lunch. Granted I upped my fat content with those additional items. But if I was worried about that, then I’d skip the fries at dinner.

Most importantly, who’s going to eat Burnett’s proposed menu—or mine—each day during their stay? Perhaps I’d splurge one or two days on the Big Mac meal. The rest of the days I’d make healthier choices.

But knowing me, I’d make a grocery store run when I get to town to stock up on food that can survive in my purse or a lunch bag all day in Olympic Park.

What do you think? Is a ban on McDonald’s at the 2012 Olympics warranted?