French Fries Nutrition Facts, Calories and Health Benefits

Joseph D'Souza
Written by
Joseph D'Souza

Updated · Nov 26, 2025

Rohan Jambhale
Edited by
Rohan Jambhale

Editor

French Fries Nutrition Facts, Calories and Health Benefits

Introduction

French Fries Nutrition Facts: Year by year, the fast food and quick service restaurant industry is increasing its market, which is why it is valued at $292.78 billion and is expected to reach $371.47 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 6.1%. Irrespective of the calories in French fries, burgers, and pizzas, we see them on the table every day. Not only that, but children are considered to be the highest among consumers. Rather than choosing and incorporating a healthy life routine, irrespective of busy schedules is important to have strong immunity.

These junk foods are not going to do any good; rather, they will turn you into a couch potato and increase your obesity. To make it easier, we have gathered some information on calories in French fries and other related foods.

What is Junk Food?

Junk food includes high calories, sugar, and bad fat. Moreover, it contains very few nutrients, vitamins and minerals, fibre, and protein. This refers to the fast food we eat today. Over time, due to strict routines, people have chosen fast food and left healthy food behind.

Even today, rather than packing a healthy meal for the office, people first eat at fast food restaurants and then move on to their offices. The term junk food was coined in the 1950s, but the credit goes to Michael F. Jacobson. Some of the commonly consumed high-calorie fast foods are mentioned below.

Types of Most Consumed Junk Foods

figure

(Source: 7esl.com)

Junk Food Facts

  • Lunchtime is the most popular time to eat Junk food.
  • Every year, total fast food consumption increases by 2.2%
  • 34% of the children will eat junk food on any given day.
  • 83% of the households in America eat at fast food restaurants once a week.
  • The majority of American consumers eat fast food 1 to 3 times every week.
  • Regular income earners eat more junk food as compared to non-income earners.
  • On average, men eat more fast food than women.
  • Every year, on average, Americans collectively spend around $200 billion on fast food.
  • There will be more than 200,000 fast-food restaurant businesses in the United States of America in 2023.
  • McDonald’s is the most popular fast-food restaurant brand in the United States of America.
  • According to some research, nostalgic menu items in fast food restaurants are in high demand compared to recently launched products.
  • 40% of the orders for junk food are made through digital means,
  • As of 2023, Wendy’s is considered the most expensive fast-food chain in the United States of America.

How Many Calories in French Fries?

French Fries Fat (g) Carbs (g) Protein (g) Calories
Fast Food Order, 1 extra large 33.21 73.18 7.33 622
Fast Food Order, 1 large 28.78 63.43 6.35 539
Fast Food order,1 medium 22.82 50.29 5.04 427
Fast Food order, 1 small 14.48 31.90 3.20 271
Spirals, Twists / Curly Fries, 10 serving 13.79 30.40 3.05 258
Wedge Fries, 10 servings 14.99 33.03 3.31 281
Strip Fries, 10 servings 8.52 18.76 1.88 160
Waffle Fries, 10 servings 13.96 30.77 3.08 262
Shoestring Fries, 10 servings 3.24 7.13 0.71 61
Crinkle Cut Fries, 10 servings 7.15 15.76 1.58 134
Straight Cut Fries, 10 servings 7.15 15.75 1.58 134
Steak Cut/dinner Fries, 10 servings 14.99 33.03 3.31 281

 

Nuggets Fat (g) Carbs (g) Protein (g) Calories
Low Fat Nuggets, 1 cup 8.80 19.17 26.81 271
Low Fat Nuggets, 1 nugget 1.14 2.48 3.47 35
Regular Nuggets, 1 stick 2.63 2.28 2.18 42
Regular Nuggets, 1 cup 26.16 22.68 21.67 413
Regular Nuggets, 1 fast food kid’s meal 13.55 11.75 11.22 214
Regular Nuggets, 1 mini drum 3.20 2.77 2.65 50
Low Fat Nuggets, 1 cup 8.80 19.17 26.81 271
Low Fat Nuggets, 1 nugget 1.14 2.248 3.47 35
Breaded Chicken Patties, 1 finger 16.56 14.36 13.72 261
Breaded Chicken Patties, 1 tender 3.01 2.61 2.49 48
Breaded Chicken Patties, 1 patty 14.30 12.40 11.85 226
Breaded Chicken Patties, 1 fillet 19.01 16.48 15.75 300

By Brand

Brand Fat (g) Carbs (g) Protein (g) Calories
Wendy’s French Fries, Small 16.00 45.00 4.00 340
Wendy’s French Fries, medium 20.00 53.00 6.00 420
McDonald’s French Fries, small 11.00 29.00 3.00 230
McDonald’s French Fries, medium 17.00 47.00 4.00 360
McDonald’s French Fries, large 30.0. 70.00 6.00 570
Burger King French Fries, Small 13.00 26.00 2.00 230
Burger King French Fries, medium 20.00 41.00 4.00 360
Burger King French Fries, King Size 33.00 69.00 6.00 600
McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets, 4 pieces 12.00 11.00 10.00 190
McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets, 6 pieces 15.00 15.00 15.00 250
McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets, 10 pieces 29.00 27.00 24.00 460
McDonald’s McChicken, 1 serving 21 39 14 400
Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets, 8 pieces 12.00 12.00 26.00 260
Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets, 12 pieces 19.00 15.00 40.00 400

 

Mashed Potatoes Fat (g) Carbs (g) Protein (g) Calories
Regular mashed potatoes, 1 oz 1.00 4.46 0.51 28
Regular mashed potatoes, 1 long-type Potato 8.60 38.20 4.37 243
Regular mashed potatoes, 1 large Potato 7.79 34.58 3.96 220
Regular mashed potatoes, 1 small potato 3.89 17.29 1.98 110
Regular mashed potatoes, 1 cup 7.43 33.01 3.78 210
Regular mashed potatoes, 1 medium 5.20 23.11 2.65 147
Mashed Potatoes with Margarine and Milk, 1 oz 1.97 3.75 0.60 35
Mashed Potatoes with Margarine and Milk, 1 cup 14.62 27.76 4.43 256
Mashed Potatoes with Margarine and Milk, 1 large potato 15.31 29.08 4.64 268
Mashed Potatoes with Margarine and Milk, 1 small potato 7.66 14.54 2.32 134
Mashed Potatoes with Margarine and Milk, 1 long-type Potato 16.91 32.12 5.13 296
Mashed Potato made with milk, Sour cream, and/or cream cheese, 1 cup serving 12.39 33.73 5.25 262
Mashed Potato made with whole milk and margarine, 1 cup serving 8.80 35.51 4.20 237
Mashed Potato made with milk and butter, 1 cup serving 8.86 35.22 3.93 237
Mashed Potato made with milk, Fat, and Cheese,1 cup serving 9.64 35.36 6.17 250
Mashed Potato made with whole milk, 1 cup serving 1.20 36.81 4.03 174
Mashed Potato from dry mix,1 cup serving 11.68 25.66 4.24 220

 

Lasagna Fat (g) Carbs (g) Protein (g) Calories
Lasagna with Chicken or Turkey and Spinach (⅙ of 8” square serving) 9.95 33.25 20.06 303
Lasagna with Chicken or Turkey  (⅙ of 8” square serving) 11.43 35.43 20.89 330
Lasagna with Beef  (⅙ of 8” square serving) 12.38 35.43 20.52 336
Lasagna with Beef and Spinach  (⅙ of 8” square serving) 11.47 33.29 19.43 313
Vegetarian Lasagna  (⅙ of 8” square serving) 10.10 43.54 17.62 334
Whole Wheat Lasagna Noodles with Meat  (⅙ of 8” square serving) 12.36 31.64 20.06 309
Spinach Lasagna Noodles with Meat  (⅙ of 8” square serving) 12.01 29.46 19.20 303
Meatless Lasagna with Vegetables  (⅙ of 8” square serving) 8.67 39.04 15.62 293
Meatless Spinach Lasagna Noodles  (⅙ of 8” square serving) 9.65 36.27 16.00 293
Meatless Whole Wheat Lasagna Noodles,  (⅙ of 8” square serving) 9.67 38.86 17.12 297

 

Ketchup Fat (g) Carbs (g) Protein (g) Calorie
Low Sodium Ketchup, 1 oz 0.11 7.90 0.49 30
Low Sodium Ketchup, 1 packet 0.02 1.67 0.10 6
Low Sodium Ketchup, 1 tbsp 0.06 4.18 0.26 16
Low Sodium Ketchup, 1 cup 0.91 66.86 4.18 257
Regular Ketchup, 1 oz 0.11 7.11 0.49 27
Regular Ketchup, 1 packet 0.02 1.50 0.10 6
Regular Ketchup, 1 tbsp 0.06 3.76 0.26 15
Regular Ketchup, 1 cup 0.91 60.19 4.18 233
Cocktail Sauce, 1 tbsp 0.07 3.55 0.26 14
Tomato Sauce, 1 tbsp 0.03 1.13 0.20 6
Reduced Sugar Ketchup, 1 tbsp 1.00 5
Tomato Chili sauce, 1 packet 0.02 1.19 0.15 6

 

Mustard Fat (g) Carbs (g) Protein (g) Calories
Honey Mustard, 1 tsp 2.00 10
Classic Yellow Mustard,1 tsp
Spicy Brown Mustard, 1 tsp 6
Horseradish Mustard, 1 tsp 0.16 0.39 0.20 3
Dijon Mustard, 1 tsp 0.19 0.47 0.24 4
Deli Mustard, 1 tsp 5
Yellow Mustard, 1 tsp 0.16 0.39 0.20 3
Yellow Mustard, 1 oz 0.88 2.21 1.12 19
Yellow Mustard, 1 tbsp 0.47 1.17 0.59 10
Yellow mustard, 1 packet 0.16 0.39 0.20 3
Yellow Mustard, ¼ cup 1.94 4.86 2.47 41

 

Mayonnaise (1 tbsp) Fat (g) Carbs (g) Protein (g) Calories
Light Mayonnaise 4.96 1.23 0.13 49
Low-Calorie Mayonnaise 2.76 3.47 0.13 38
Fat-Free Mayonnaise 0.43 2.48 0.03 13
Regular Mayonnaise 4.91 3.51 0.13 57
No Cholesterol Mayonnaise 11.67 0.04 103
Reduced Calorie Cholesterol Free Mayonnaise 4.86 0.98 0.13 49
Mayonnaise made with Yogurt 0.94 1.14 0.53 15
Mayonnaise made with Tofu 4.73 0.56 0.88 48
Soybean Oil Mayonnaise 10.79 0.54 0.15 99
Milk Cream Imitation Mayonnaise 0.76 1.66 0.32 15
Imitation Mayonnaise 2.88 2.40 0.04 35
Soybean and Safflower Oil Mayonnaise 10.96 0.37 0.15 99
Soybean Imitation Mayonnaise 2.88 2.40 0.04 35

 

Spaghetti Fat (g) Carbs (g) Protein (g) Calories
Plain Spaghetti, ½ cup 0.64 21.48 4.03 110
Plain Spaghetti, 1 cup 1.29 42.95 8.06 220
Spinach Spaghetti, 1 oz 0.18 7.41 1.30 37
Spinach Spaghetti, ½ cup 0.44 18.30 3.21 91
Spinach Spaghetti, 1 cup 0.88 36.61 6.41 182
Whole Wheat Spaghetti, 1 oz 0.15 7.52 1.51 35
Whole Wheat Spaghetti, 1 cup 0.76 37.16 7.46 174
Whole Wheat Spaghetti, ½ cup 0.38 18.58 3.73 87

 

Other fast food items Fat (g) Carbs (g) Protein (g) Calories
Cheese Pizza, 1 slice (1 oz) 5.68 1.09 7.36 86
Noodles, 100g 2.06 2501 4.51 137
Noodles, 1 cup cooked 3.3 40.02 7.22 219
Plain Ramen Noodles, 43g ½ block 7 26 5 190

Recipes

#1. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic-mashed-Potatoes

(Source: pinterest.com)

Ingredients

500 grams of potatoes (6 to 7 medium-sized), 2 cups water, ½ tsp salt, black pepper, salt as per taste, 2 tbsp butter, ½ cup + 2 tbsp whole milk, ½ tsp garlic, 2 to 3 tsp fresh herbs.

Preparation Instructions

Rinse the potatoes in water using a colander. Brush any dirt and drain the water. Then peel the potatoes. Chop it into 1.5 to 2-inch cubes. Transfer them to a pan, add ½ tsp salt and 2 cups water, and stir well to mix. Cover the pan and let the potatoes cook on medium-low heat. Meanwhile, chop fresh herbs and garlic. Once potatoes are cooked, they should be softened but should not fall apart. Once perfectly cooked, remove the water.

In the same pan, add ½ cups + 2 tbsp milk, ½ tsp finely chopped/minced garlic, and 2 tbsp butter. Keep the heat on medium-low and cook until the butter is melted. Then, let the mixture come to a slight boil. Now turn off the heat and add potatoes.

Transfer the potato to a bowl and mash it using a masher with holes. Mash until it forms a fluffy, smooth, and light texture, being careful not to over-mash it.

Sprinkle some black pepper, and add 2 to 3 tsp fresh mixed herbs. While the mixture is hot, add some garlic and cubes of butter to garnish. And serve.

#2. Spaghetti in Creamy and Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti-in-Creamy-and-Tomato-Sauce

(Source: archanaskitchen.com)

(For Tomato Basil Sauce for Pasta)

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 finely chopped onion, 4 roughly torn basil leaves, 6 finely chopped garlic cloves, 500 grams ripe tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste.

(For Pasta)

Salt to taste, ¼ cup fresh cream, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp red chili flakes, 1 green thinly sliced bell pepper, 1 thinly sliced carrot, 250 grams Durum Wheat Spaghetti Pasta,1 tsp dried oregano,

Instructions

Add water to a saucepan, bring it to a boil, and add spaghetti pasta along with a pinch of salt. Boil until it becomes soft or comes to a biting consistency. Once cooked, strain the water and rinse the pasta with cold water. Drizzle some olive oil and set aside.

Meanwhile, make tomato basil sauce. Take an SMA pressure cooker, add half-cut tomatoes, and let them cook only for one whistle. Once cooked, remove the tomatoes from the cooker, drain the water, and set them aside to cool. Once cooled, peel off the skin and make a pulp in a mixer. Blend until it forms a smooth puree. Keep the puree aside.

In another saucepan, heat oil and add chopped onions. Cook until they turn golden brown. Then add carrots and capsicum and cook until soft. Once cooked, add the puree, basil leaves, red chili flakes, salt and pepper, and oregano. Bring the mixture to a slight boil. Add the spaghetti to the pan, then add cream, and mix well until the spaghetti is well coated with the sauce. Once covered well with the sauce, serve hot.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fast food is leading today’s consumer preference. Although junk food has high calories, people eat it every day. Eating high-calorie junk food every day increases the risk of diabetes, causes obesity, and reduces immunity and digestion. The most common types consumed every day are French fries, burgers, and pizzas.

The more high-calorie meals you eat, the higher the risk of health issues. Considering today’s environment around us, we should consider healthy meal options to fight against coronavirus-like viruses and keep our immunity strong. Resist the urge to eat these unhealthy foods and balance the overall nutrition in the body by eating natural and healthy food meals.

FAQ.

How frequently can I eat fast food?



Eating junk food once a week is okay. But that doesn’t mean the quality overlimits and makes you bloated. Make sure your consumption is limited and you are sticking to your diet.

What are the effects of fast food on health?



Eating fast food regularly may lead to the following disadvantages: 1. Increased risk of diabetes, cancer, liver disease, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular damages. 2. Belly fat 3. Overweight problems 4. Digestion problems 5. And bloating.

Can I consume fast food on a diet?



You can eat fast food once every 14 days. But consumption should be limited. Cheat day is only okay to follow when you are not going to get intimidated by junk foods and get back to a healthy diet after that.

What fast food is better for your diet?



Some of the junk food that can be still consumed are grilled or roasted lean meats, chicken breast, lean ham, and lean roast beef. You must avoid crispy chicken sandwiches and other bread related food items.

What is the difference between sauce and ketchup?



Sauce has no amount of spices while ketchup has a variety of spices. Moreover sauces do not usually contain sugar whereas ketchup has some amount of sugar. Considering these points, sauces are healthier than ketchups.

Joseph D'Souza
Joseph D'Souza

Joseph D'Souza founded Sci-Tech Today as a personal passion project to share statistics, expert analysis, product reviews, and experiences with tech gadgets. Over time, it evolved into a full-scale tech blog specializing in core science and technology. Founded in 2004 by Joseph D’Souza, Sci-Tech Today has become a leading voice in the realms of science and technology. This platform is dedicated to delivering in-depth, well-researched statistics, facts, charts, and graphs that industry experts rigorously verify. The aim is to illuminate the complexities of technological innovations and scientific discoveries through clear and comprehensive information.

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