Balancing Act: Fast-Food Restaurants Struggle To Fight Obesity, Keep Customers Happy

America’s fast-food chains are very aware of the need to fight the obesity epidemic – and avoid onerous government involvement in their businesses –  by reducing salt and fat content in their meals. But they’re also aware that customers are not particularly interested in being shocked by sudden, major changes in the flavor of their favorite foods, or by words like “low-sodium” and “diet”. So, restaurant chains experiment. They tweak, a little at a time. They are even working together, sharing ideas for reducing salt, carbs and sugar. But results are mixed. Big Macs – hugely popular calorie bomb sandwiches – are still on the McDonalds menu. And Au Bon Pain recently returned a 550-calorie cinnamon roll to its menu when customers turned their noses up at a reduced-sugar version.