Kids get schooled at McDonald's Fries with that?: Students get lesson in nutrition at Stratford fast-food chain, then are invited behind the counter to put their knowledge to the test

Jack Kyzer, 11, of Stratford, a 6th grade student at Eli Whitney School, gets help from Maria Pagan, store manager at McDonald’s restaurant on 2439 Barnum Avenue, as he builds his own hamburger sandwich. In the background is Gail Grant, a local store marketer for McDonald’s, who taught Jack and his classmates about making healthy meal choices and developing nutritionally sound eating habits for life. less Jack Kyzer, 11, of Stratford, a 6th grade student at Eli Whitney School, gets help from Maria Pagan, store manager at McDonald’s restaurant on 2439 Barnum Avenue, as he builds his own hamburger sandwich. In ... more Photo: Meg Barone Photo: Meg Barone Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Kids get schooled at McDonald's 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

STRATFORD -- Since 1955, McDonald's Corp. has served fast food, earning its designation as the world's largest fast-food hamburger chain, and as with most businesses, its emphasis was on the bottom line.

With the growing epidemic of childhood obesity and an escalation in rates of related health issues, McDonald's officials have said it also was good business to serve nutritional facts to young people.

About five years ago, the company initiated nutrition workshops, bringing schoolchildren into their local McDonald's restaurant to learn about calorie counts, sodium levels, fat content and other information about the importance of eating nutritious foods.

Gail Grant, local store marketer for eight McDonald's restaurants, conducted a workshop Oct. 21 at McDonald's on 2439 Barnum Ave., in Stratford, for Eli Whitney School sixth-grade students. Grant talked about the health benefits of certain vegetables and gave them tips on making healthy choices. Then she invited them behind the counter to see the kitchen and make their own sandwiches.

"Fifth-graders and up get to go into our kitchen area to build their own sandwich if they decide to purchase one," said Grant, who asked students whether the information they learned influenced their meal choices or what they placed on their sandwiches.

"I learned that McDonald's can be very healthy for you if you make the right choices. I usually have lots of cheese, but I had less cheese and more lettuce, and I had chicken instead of hamburger because it has fewer calories," said Shannon Mullings, 11.

Peranai Sirichantho, 11, said he planned to get an Angus Deluxe, but chose a Big Mac because it had 210 fewer calories.

Jack Kyzer, 11, said "it was cool seeing all the McDonald's chefs cooking the hamburgers. It was my first time making it. It was the best thing that ever happened to me."

"He loves McDonald's," said George Kyzer, Jack's dad.

"McDonald's is providing nutritional information so when they go to a restaurant they can make healthy choices," said Maureen DiDomenico, coordinator of fine arts, health and physical education for the Stratford school system.

The back of McDonald's placemats have nutritional facts about the restaurants' food.

Grant told the students they are responsible for their own nutrition.

"Read, then eat," she said.