The article argues that McDonald’s can offer reasonably balanced choices, despite its reputation for unhealthy food and recent claims that health-conscious customers are contributing to falling sales. It says the chain has reduced salt, sugar and fat over the past decade, and that 89 per cent of its core UK menu was at or below 500 calories as of April last year.

A plain hamburger has about 255 calories and 3.5g of saturated fat; adding small fries brings the meal’s salt to around 1.5g, about a quarter of the recommended daily maximum. A four-nugget Happy Meal with milk and carrots contains 333 calories, while a cheeseburger has 303 calories and 5.8g of saturated fat. The nutritionist cited recommends adding fruit or vegetables for fibre and notes that much of the Happy Meal’s sugar comes naturally from milk and carrots.