After reading “Satis-fries: Fewer Calories, But Are They Healthy?” and “Do You Want Fries or Fruit With That?,” write an essay in which you discuss the changes in McDonald’s and Burger King’s menus. Evaluate the menu changes and argue whether or not they are providing healthier options. Support your position with evidence from both texts.

Must be five paragraphs in length.

Each paragraph should have a topic sentence, three supporting sentences, and a conclusion sentence. The first paragraph should be the introduction and the last paragraph should be the conclusion.

Make sure to use several different sentence types, openers, and dress-ups.

SATIS-FRIES: FEWER CALORIES, BUT ARE THEY HEALTHY?

By Associated Press Posted on September 24, 2013

1 Burger King wants people to feel less guilty about gobbling up its French fries.

2 The world’s No. 2 hamburger chain is launching a new crinkle-cut French fry. It says the new fries have about 20% fewer calories than its regular fries.

3 The chain says a small order of the new “Satisfries” clocks in at 270 calories because of a new batter that doesn’t absorb as much oil. By comparison, a small order of its regular fries, sans crinkles, has 340 calories.

4 The concept of taking an indulgent food and removing some of the guilt isn’t new. Supermarkets are filled with baked Lay’s potato chips, 100-calorie packs of Oreos and other less fattening versions of popular treats. Such creations play on people’s inability to give up their fast food vices, even as they struggle to eat better. The idea is to create something that skimps on calories, but not on taste.

5 Burger King executives say people won’t be able to tell that Satisfries are lower calories. It says they use exactly the same ingredients as its regular fries—potatoes, oil and batter. To keep kitchen operations simple, they’re even made in the same fryers and cooked for the same amount of time as regular fries.

6 The difference, Burger King says, is that it adjusts the proportions of different ingredients for the batter to block out more oil. The company declined to be more specific. Another difference, the crinkle-cut shape, is in part so workers will be able to easily distinguish them from the regular fries when they are deep frying them together.

7 Alex Macedo, head of North American operations at Burger King, said the chain worked with one of its potato suppliers, McCain Foods, to develop the lower-calorie fries. He said McCain can’t sell the fries to other fast-food clients. This will make it difficult for competitors to imitate them.

Do You Want Fries or Fruit With That?

By Associated Press Posted on September 27, 2013

8 Want a side salad with that Big Mac?

9 McDonald’s will offer the choice of a salad, fruit or vegetable instead of French fries in its value meals.

10 McDonald’s will roll out the change early next year in the U.S. People will be able to pick a salad instead of fries at no extra cost. McDonald’s says it already lets customers make such swaps in some countries, such as France.

11 McDonald’s also announced that it would use its packaging to make healthier options more appealing to kids. For example, a side of carrots might come in a more colorfully designed bag. Parents will still be able to order soda with Happy Meals, but McDonald’s will only promote milk, juice and water on menu boards and in advertising. All advertising to kids will include a “fun nutrition or children’s well-being” message.

12 McDonald’s has been criticized by health advocates who say it promotes bad eating habits. After years of outperforming its rivals, McDonald’s is also struggling to shake its fast-food image and keep up with shifting tastes. Late last year, the company reported its first monthly sales decline in nearly a decade. Sales performance around the world has been choppy ever since.

13 “The changes McDonald’s are making make the food somewhat healthier. But I don’t think a hamburger, some apples and fries is something I’d call healthy,” said Margo Wootan. She’s the director of nutrition policy at the health advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest.