Hey there, foodies!
How often do you eat French Fries?
Did you know the average American eats nearly 30 pounds of fries each year?
Sounds pretty gross if you ask me.
To be fair, many of us are introduced to this snack fairly early in life.
Fried potatoes are the most popular vegetable among children 2-4 years of age.
Let’s talk about what happens to your body if you eat french fries everyday.
What are their nutritional value?
Do they increase your risk of death?
Did a teenage boy actually go blind from eating them?
We’re talking all that AND more
The average serving of fries used to weigh around 2.5 ounces.
Today, normal portion sizes are between 6-7.
That’s one heck of an increase.
If you’re craving fries, health experts recommend 10 - 15 individual fries in one
serving.
A minimal amount of fries is recommended in order to consume the fewest amount of calories
you can.
But let’s face it, most of us are eating way more than 10 - 15 in a sitting.
Most fast food restaurants serve almost four times that amount.
I know I’m having way more.
Let’s take a look at the nutritional facts.
Since fries taste different everywhere you go, we’ll focus on the most famous fries
on Earth…
Do I even need to say their name?
I’m talking about the Golden Arches themselves…
McDonalds.
McDonald’s gold and brown fries are legendary.
I don’t know if you’ve eaten there lately, but you were probably served more than 10
- 15.
A medium order from Mickey D’s contains around 320 calories.
A large order is 490.
If you are trying to cut down on carbs, this isn’t the snack you should be embracing.
Just a medium portion carries 43g of carbohydrates.
That’s 14% of your recommended daily value.
There is also 2 grams of saturated fats.
And as for sodium, the same order of McDonalds fries contains 260 mg.
Keep in mind, you are likely eating these fries along with a burger and soda.
It is only appropriate that we discuss trans fats as well.
These are unsaturated fatty acids found in different types of food.
Since they pack a mean combination of carbs, salt and fat, French fries are a nutritional
nightmare.
One that can do severe damage to your health if eaten in excess.
Are you finding this interesting so far?
Well hold onto your seats, because things are about to get greasier.
No pun intended.
But before we continue, are you concerned about the overall state of your health?
Check out our video discussing why it’s hard to lose weight based on your zodiac.
Also, if you’re missing out on nutrients, click on our clip listing 7 signs your body
is desperate for Vitamin A.
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Hit that subscribe button for more great Bestie content!
Now back to our discussion on what happens after eating French fries everyday.
So we know that fries are probably not the healthiest choice of food, but what happens
if you eat them all the time?
Well research has shown that the results are nothing to be excited over.
A study conducted in 2017 focused on 4400 people between the ages of 45 to 79.
Researchers paid attention to their potato consumption.
It was found that those who ate fried potatoes at least twice a week had doubled their risk
of premature death.
By the end of the study, 236 of the subjects had passed away.
If these are the results from eating them just twice in seven days, imagine what they're
doing to your body if you eat them everyday.
Keep in mind, those who are eating french fries on the regular are probably leading
unhealthy lifestyles overall.
I don’t think their french fry diet is the result of a childhood hankering for fried
potatoes.
But then again, people are strange.
High consumers of french fries are also shown to indulge in regular consumption of red meat,
sweet and sugary beverages, as well as other fatty foods.
So expiring from fries alone seems highly unlikely.
Especially when your supersized order is usually part of a Big Mac combo.
The fat and salt content found in French fries can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Regular consumption of fries is shown to increase your chances of high blood pressure, diabetes
and obesity.
Not to mention clogged arteries.
But these aren’t the only effects.
Lack of proper nutrition can result in things you never expected.
Let’s turn our attention to one particular story.
One that will have you thinking twice about your fry intake.
We often hear bizarre tales about people who eat too much of one thing.
Add this one to the list.
In 2019, there was a case of a 14 year old boy who reported vision and hearing trouble
to his family doctor.
Noticing that he had a Vitamin B12 deficiency, the doctor ran a thorough series of tests.
This led the boy to be diagnosed with a rare condition known as avoidant-restrictive food
intake disorder, or ARFID.
This condition is characterized by selective eating.
In this case, the boy had consumed a lifetime supply of chips and fries.
The reports stated that he would eat one serving of fries from a local restaurant each day.
Overtime, the boy lost his eyesight, as his poor nutritional intake did severe damage
to his nervous system.
Doctors prescribed him supplements for his Vitamin deficiencies and therapy to get over
his ARFID.
Unfortunately, it was too late to help his vision.
Since they didn’t catch it early enough, the damage was irreversible.
While a story like this may frighten some into never putting a fry between their lips
again, this is a fairly extreme example.
If you love your French fries like I do, there are ways to tweak them so they are not as
unhealthy.
Before we continue, we would like to thank Pur Gum for sponsoring this video.
Pur Gum is the leader of sugar & aspartame-free gums and mints.
With a great taste that doesn’t hold back in flavour, Pur Gum is sold in 25 different
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So what changes can you make to your fries so that eating them isn’t the kiss of death?
Well for one thing, you can cut down on the salt.
Experts recommend no more than 2300 mg of sodium.
If you’re trying to get in shape, limit your intake to 1500 mg a day.
Since fries contain lots of sodium, it’s easy to lose track of just how much you’re
having with your serving.
Too much can send your blood pressure skyrocketing, increasing your risk of heart attack or stroke.
If you are baking your own fries at home, try and make them with as little added salt
as possible.
Most fast food restaurants have a no-salt option for their fries.
If you warn an employee ahead of time, they will accommodate you.
If you’re willing to make the change, substitute your fries for a healthier option.
If you are eating restaurant foods such as chicken wings or sandwiches, carrots and celery
act as a healthier side to your meal.
Maybe even go for a brown rice or a baked potato.
Speaking of baked potato, have you ever considered trying other sorts of potatoes?
You can try darker-coloured kinds or even sweet!
As a matter of fact, sweet potatoes are delicious when eaten on their own.
They are also relatively healthier than your traditional brand.
Think about this for a second.
An order of sweet potatoes is just 180 calories.
While it does contain 41 grams of carbs, it can hold 769% of your daily Vitamin A value!
Not to mention a ton of Vitamin C, Manganese and Vitamin B6.
Sweet potatoes also carry a decent amount of fiber.
This will help you feel full for a longer period of time.
It will also improve the health of your gut.
So next time you’re at a restaurant, you won’t regret opting for the sweet potato
instead.
If you are concerned about the way your fries are being cooked, try using them with an air
fryer.
This is a device that employs hot air rather than cooking oil, reducing the amount of fat
and calories you’ll be having.
If you have access to an air fryer, they are easy to use.
They create a crispy texture without boiling them in the deep fryer.
This means they will come out just the way you normally eat them, with less salt and
fatty oil.
If you would like to use oil, opt for different kinds such as olive, peanut or avocado.
Do you like French fries?
Would you consider cutting down after watching this video?
Let us know in the comments below.
We would love to hear from you!