French nutritionists give thumbs up to Big Mac
March 19, 2004

PARIS – Want to stay fit and healthy? Two top French nutritionists are telling people to go for a Big Mac and keep their fingers off the traditional French quiche.

In an unexpected message to a country priding itself on the superiority of its food, a new food guide praises the McDonald's burger for having a higher and healthier protein-to-fat ratio than France's Quiche Lorraine.

"Strangely enough, the products which are the most demonised are not necessarily the worst," Jean-Michel Cohen and Patrick Serog write in their book "Savoir Manger," in which they analyse 5,000 dishes available in shops and restaurants.

The verdict published this month comes as McDonald's (MCD.N) launches a new campaign to add healthier food choices to its menus. It has also said it is eliminating Supersize fries and soft drinks.