Katie Couric's Notebook: Happy Meals

Kids may love them, but some city officials in San Francisco are all frowns over happy meals.

Hearings begin today on a proposed law that would ban giving away toys...with meals high in calories, fat, sugar and salt. And any meal that does come with a toy would have to include a half-cup of fruit and three-quarters of a cup of vegetables.

The bill would affect all San Francisco restaurants, but it's clearly aimed at fast food chains. McDonald's argues parents should decide what their kids should eat...not the government. But the toys are luring the tots...not the food.

One out of every three American kids and teens is overweight or obese. Among minorities, it's even worse. A healthy diet at an early age can help prevent diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure.

I'm not sure it requires a law, but getting that toy in exchange for some carrots or apple slices...sounds like a pretty happy meal for parents and children alike.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.