McD habit: must I squash it?

It's "krap" food but if you must indulge, I would only do it about once every 2 weeks - not 2 to 3 times a week. I get Happy meal, burger, fries and unsweetended ice tea.

PS DIET POP WILL KILL YOU - Aspartame / Splenda worse than sugar !!

There is nothing wrong with Aspartame. You're spouting junk.

Oh wow, the controversy has finally been put to rest! It makes you wonder why they are spending billions on research as it sounds like you have already got the conclusive evidence

Splenda containes Chlorine....a carcinogen.
Aspartame has been investigated as a possible cause of brain tumors, mental retardation, birth defects, epilepsy, Parkinson's Disease, Fibromyalgia, and Diabetes.

Aside from the above, whether it's true or not, it is "artificial".
I'm only giving my opinion, because that's what I assume is being asked....my personal goal is not strictly weight los, but improved overall health, which includes doing away with as much artificial, processed, additive and chemical saturated food as possible.
I drink coffee and tea unsweatened and with no sugar.....I don't frequent fast food establishments anymore (although, I admit to slipping more often since starting a second job).......I try to eat as much fresh, natural, organic food as possible.
Again, all part of my own personal journey, and the fact that there COULD be any truth to the above statements about artificial sweeteners is enough to keep me on pure cane sugar when I have a sweet tooth.

Are you losing weight? Is it adversely affecting you? If not, do what makes you happy - if you're controlling your portions, then what's the issue?

Noooo, please don't start the aspartame thing again here. Take it where it's on topic:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/646860-the-aspartame-thread

the debate is over - Beckajw has said there's nothing wrong with it

Are you losing weight? Is it adversely affecting you? If not, do what makes you happy - if you're controlling your portions, then what's the issue?

There are loads of things to consider other than just 'losing weight'

To lose fat healthily has got to be the goal we all seek isn't it?

Once you start eating clean, that stuff just makes you feel lousy.

This is the truth. I couldn't believe how I felt when I tried McDonald's (nuggets and some fries) after not eating it for at least half a year. I felt disgusting, my energy level plummeted, and my stomach and the rest of my digestive system mutinied. Dairy Queen's chicken tenders had the same effect.

Interestingly, Chick-Fil-A's waffle fries don't do the same. Dunno why.

You're an adult, and we aren't the food police. You have to work out what you can live with long-term. If that includes lunch at McD's that's up to you.

She is asking for advice, not the food police. Right place too if you ask me

And my point still stands. She has to decide what she can live with. We can tell her all the terrible things about McDs and encourage her to eat healthy, but the choice is ultimately up to her. She has to decide what she can live with or live without. If she decides that she can do without the fast-food she'll be that much better off, but if she ends up feeling deprived and resentful she might just chuck the whole thing.

She didn't ask if McDonald's food was good or bad, she asked if she has to stop eating it. I still say that's up to her.

Yeah sure, it's always up to the individual, but she was asking HOW bad it was. I get the impression that she had overlooked everything but the calories and a few people on here pointed out that calories were just part of the problem.

I think because of the advice of some, she is now in a better position to be able to make the choice to which you were referring. Just because she is an adult, doesn't mean she knows all about nutrician. I thought I knew a lot but only recently have I come to realise just how much sodium is in 'fast food'!!! My 320 calorie healthy chicken subway doesn't quite have the same appeal now that I know that it contains 880 mg of sodium - as much as everything else I eat in a day combined!!

Yeah, you're probably right. I'm likely reading more into the original post than there is.

While it's all about calorie deficit - crap is crap and that's junk food. Maybe try to cut back to once a week as a treat meal? Your body will love you for it:)

It's not even that BAD of food, compared to some of the stuff sold. People act like salt and preservatives and oil are rat poison. Most of us have no medical reason to worry about sodium, and never will. Oil is just another food. Preservatives are pervasive in the American diet, and are harmless and beneficial from a logistics standpoint (unless you're self-sustainable).

I love how we dieters go from totally abusing our bodies with food to treating it like its a fragile blown glass artifact that must have only the highest quality inputs at all times. :laugh:

Whilst you are probably right, I think if I made a promise to myslef to get rid of just the 3 things that were worst for me - McDs would be on the list