The discovery this week that McDonald’s french fries had more trans fat (the bad fat that can be very harmful to a person’s health) and regular fat makes us hope that people aren’t really surprised by this news.

We are going to drop a bombshell on everyone — french fries are not healthful, and eating excessive amounts of them will make you gain weight and won’t be as good for you as say, a carrot.

So what if it was discovered that those golden delicious potato temptresses are just a little worse for you than before? They are still delicious and should be enjoyed in moderation.

Eating red carton after red carton of McDonald’s french fries with the before-accepted amount of trans fat would make a person unhealthier just as much as they would now. There is no need for alarm or protest over this new revelation.

Instead, we propose a new idea.

It’s going to come as a bit of a shock at first, and some of you might not like it — hell, we don’t like it — but it is time for us to stop eating all this McDonald’s. And this isn’t just directed at the Golden Arches with its delicious value meals and great shakes, we’re talking about the Cookouts, the Chick-fil-a’s, the Burger King’s (if anyone still eats there) and the Wendy’s. These foods have basically no nutritional value that we can’t get by a healthier alternative.

Oh, but you say meat has protein, and I get my protein from the monstrous-size burgers at these fast food chains. Here’s an idea: cook yourself a burger at home, but don’t put cheese and sauce all over it.

French fries may be delicious, but they are just superfluous calories and fat that can easily be substituted with healthier snacks, like fruits and vegetables.

We’re not trying to sound like a bunch of hippie health nuts, but it’s time to face facts. Our metabolisms are slowing down, and we’re gaining new additions that we didn’t have before. The reason is undeniably our poor diets.

Let’s get fit, N.C. State. Let’s drop these fast-food diets and start eating healthier and playing on the jungle gyms that will, with luck, be budgeted for in the coming months.