McDonald's Canada just dropped a Grinch Meal. Is it bad for you? Here's what a dietitian says

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McDonald's Canada is stepping into the holiday season this year with everyone's favourite green, furry, mean-spirited character. Right now, Canadians can get their hands on The Grinch Meal — complete with a pair of mismatched Grinch-themed socks.

"They're fun, they're exciting, they're themed. One might say that they're very specifically marketed," Amanda Nash, a registered dietitian with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, told Yahoo Canada. "When we look at marketing of foods, we know that kids are uniquely vulnerable to marketing of ultra-processed foods.

"It's not just heart and stroke. Ultra-processed foods are also linked to increased risk for cancer and mortality later in life," she added.

But what's exactly included in The Grinch Meal, and is it unhealthy? Plus, what other new holiday treats has McDonald's Canada launched? Read on to learn more about the new menu items, and what you should know about their nutritional components.

What are the new holiday menu items at McDonald's Canada?

McDonald's Canada started offering up The Grinch Meal, featuring the Christmas-hating, green character created by cartoonist Dr. Seuss. The combo features a choice of a Big Mac, McChicken or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets with a medium fountain drink, as well as a pair of mismatched Grinch-themed socks.

The new menu item featured in this combo includes Dill Pickle McShaker Fries, a spiced-up version of the fast food chain's famous fries. On top of a Grinch-themed Happy Meal, McDonald's Canada also launched two holiday menu items including a Frozen Hot Chocolate McFlurry and a heart-shaped cookie with green candy coating.

The new Grinch-themed menu items might be a fun way to celebrate the holiday season, but Nash gave a reminder for parents who might be pestered by their children to order a Grinch Meal. The Winnipeg-based expert explained kids are typically more vulnerable to marketing because they're still developing their brans and might not realize the intent of this kind of advertising.

"Does that mean 'don't ever eat fast food'? Of course not. But it means let's be more mindful, let's slow down. Let's make sure that when we are choosing our food choices, we're choosing foods that nourish our body, but we're also looking at family connection," Nash explained, adding it's important to factor in enjoyment and special moments with your loved ones when thinking about meals.

"Healthy eating is not just nutrition. There's many different aspects to that."

Are the new Dill Pickle McShaker Fries unhealthy?

Put simply, this new product is the classic McDonald's fries with a dill pickle seasoning packet you combine in a paper bag and shake until they're fully covered. According to the fast food chain's website, one serving size of these clocks in at 370 calories, which is 20 more calories than a normal medium size fries.

Additionally, people who eat these Dill Pickle McShaker Fries are consuming 17 g of fat, 50 g of carbohydrates and 630 mg of sodium. That sodium content is around 27 per cent of your recommended daily value intake (DV), according to Health Canada, which is considered "a lot."

Compared to a normal medium size fries, McDonald's Canada has listed it carries 260 mg of sodium or 11 per cent of your DV, along with the same amount of fat and 46 g of carbohydrates.

Is the Frozen Hot Chocolate McFlurry bad for you?

Whenever a new McFlurry option comes out, it's always an exciting new McDonald's treat. But that's exactly what it should typically stay as within your diet — a treat. However, the new Frozen Hot Chocolate version isn't as a bad as some of the other McFlurry options.

According to the McDonald's Canada website, this new McFlurry flavour has the lowest number of calories, fat, carbohydrates and sugar compared to other options on the menu. The Frozen Hot Chocolate McFlurry reportedly has 460 calories, 11 g of fat, 79 g of carbs and 67 g of sugar. In terms of sugar, that's 67 per cent of your DV.

Compared to the worst option health-wise, the Reese's Chipits 'N Fudge McFlurry comes with 780 calories, 30 g of fat, 110 g of carbs and 92 g of sugar. For the amount of sugar, this has 92 per cent of your DV, while it also comes with 40 per cent of your fat and 19 per cent of your sodium DVs.

Should you eat the Green Heart-Shaped Cookie?

A candy coated cookie might be just the right treat to settle any sweet tooth, but again, it's important to think about your daily intake of sugars and fats. Each Green Heart-Shaped Cookie comes with 110 calories, according to McDonald's Canada.

For other nutrients, it has 5 g of fat, 15 g of carbohydrates, no fibre, 1 g of protein, 35 mg of sodium and 13 g of sugar. While that sugar content only accounts for 13 per cent of your DV, think about the size of the cookie and how it likely won't keep you full for a day.

What about other McDonald's menu items?

Speaking to Yahoo Canada earlier this year following the McRib's relaunch after 10 years, Toronto-based dietitian Abbey Sharp said it's fine to enjoy a meal from McDonald's from "time to time" — so long as it's an "occasional treat." The Abbey's Kitchen founder also noted it's best to keep things "simple" when eating fast food.

Luckily, the main course in The Grinch Meal — a Big Mac, McChicken or Chicken McNuggets — aren't all that extravagant. But when factoring in the DV amounts of these products, it's clear these aren't meant to be everyday meals.

A Big Mac carries 570 calories, according to McDonald's Canada's website. It also comes with a whopping 32 g of fat, or 43 per cent of your DV, as well as 920 mg of sodium, or 40 per cent of your DV. Moreover, Big Mac eaters can expect to consume 46 g of carbs, 8 g of sugar, 3 g of fibre and 24 g of protein.

For a McChicken, that sandwich boasts 480 calories, 16 g of protein and 3 g of fibre. On the other hand, it comes with 36 per cent of your DV for fat at 27 g and 28 per cent of your DV for sodium at 650 mg. Additionally, it carries 45 g of carbs and 6 g of sugar.

Finally, expect to consume around 410 calories with a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets. That option in The Grinch Meal packs 31 per cent of your DV for fat at 23 g, as well as 33 per cent of your sodium DV with 750 mg. For other nutrients, it has 26 g of carbs, 26 g of protein as well as no fibre nor sugar.

Should you avoid fast food altogether?

Nash explained many Canadians get around 50 per cent of their daily calories from ultra-processed food like fast food — and that's higher for children. These kinds of foods may be higher in saturated fats, sodium, sugar and overall calories, all of which can contribute to a higher risk of ailments like heart disease, stroke and cancer. However, Nash suggested people follow an 80/20 rule when it comes to eating.

For instance, 80 per cent of someone's diet should be focused around eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains as well as a variety of protein choices. If that's the case, she noted there's room to have a 20 per cent leeway for indulging in fast food or other ultra-processed meals.

"If we're too rigid and limited with our diet, it's not going to work — especially around the holiday time," she said. "You want to plan for balance and moderation."

When talking to children about food, Nash explained adults should be cautious they're not creating a power dynamic. "We don't want to really label food as good or bad. We want to develop healthy eating habits where we can really listen to our bodies."

Instead, she suggested parents should talk to kids about how different foods nourish our bodies in different ways. "Just being really real with your children about how all foods can fit, but we want to make sure we're really looking to nourish our bodies and choosing food mindfully."

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