By Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D.
Posted: Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Publication Date: May 17, 2006

This letter appeared in the May 17, 2006 New York Times:

To the Editor:

If Eric Schlosser's book convinces kids that McDonald's is selling bad food, what other choices will they make ("Food Alarm is Supersized," May 10)? The teenager's quote at the end of the story suggests that she'll go to a different fast food restaurant: will that necessarily be an improvement or reduce her risk of eating too many calories? Kids must be educated about making appropriate food choices, no matter where they choose to eat. Just telling them that particular foods or restaurants are bad doesn't help them make those choices.

Ruth Kava
New York
The writer is the director of nutrition for the American Council on Science and Health.