I was returning from a game of golf on a Thursday afternoon when I decided to stop at McDonalds for an Arnold Palmer (50% lemonade, 50% iced tea). It was around 3:30 in the afternoon and I was absolutely shocked at how packed the store was with high school kids.

Now I’m not so old that I don’t remember stopping for a Coke after school and I’d understand that, or ice cream or one of those horrible cakes they sell. But almost all of these kids ate French fries, and most ate a sandwich.

Now I’m not on a crusade against McDonalds, all other fast food places are similar, but McDonalds has posted their nutritional value online so I’m using them. If these kids ate a Big Mac (485 calories) and an order of large fries (400 calories), they have just consumed about one-third of their daily caloric needs (assuming they were drinking Diet Coke) and will be having dinner at home in less than 3 hours.

And we wonder why obesity and type 2 diabetes are endemic in our youth.

Here is the summary of the most popular foods. offered at McDonalds:

• Start the day off right with a big breakfast 585 calories and 36 grams of fat
• The Chicken Sandwich is the lowest in calories with 370
• A shake has 380 calories.
• The double cheeseburger has 471 calories (and is also listed on the affordable dollar menu for kids)
• And the granddaddy is the Quarter Pounder with Cheese at 500 calories and 26 grams of fat.

It is time that we seriously teach nutrition. in our schools, but that’s really a joke when you see the crap they serve in the cafeteria. If the schools can’t handle it, we must set the example at home.

Good nutrition means a healthier child. A healthier child means a more successful child and fewer medical bills. You want to learn all you can about nutrition.