Fast Facts on Fries
Well we are travelling on the road again. On our way from Flint, Michigan to Queens, New York. I always get a little nervous before we head out to a new place because I know I am really going to have to put more effort into putting good things into my and my daughter's body and not just what is convenient!True story: A few days ago we stopped at McDonald's after church to grab a quick bite to eat. As we pulled into our parking space, my precious 21 month old daughter lets out an excited request in the sweetest little voice, "FRIES!?!" My heart sank into my stomach and almost simultaneously I burst out into uncontrollable laughter! We have only been to McDonald's a handful of times in her life, but somehow her little mind had already made an association between those famous golden arches and the flavorful crispy goodness that is a french fry. Little did she know those fries were the very things I was dreading trying to resist.
I recently embarked on an endeavor to loose weight with my best friend using the weight watchers points plus system, and have thus banished eating fries while trying to get to my goal weight. Before I banished the fries, I did a little research comparing 6 popular fast food chains fry nutrition facts to see, just how bad they are for me. Knowing what's in my food nutritionally before I eat it helps me make wise choices and keep me on track with my weight loss and eventually my maintenance. I got my figures from the restaurant's websites themselves, and have included the links. There are plenty of substitutes at all of these restaurants if you are watching what you eat, and I enjoy eating at them, but I want to empower you with the knowledge that has helped me make wise choices for my daughter and myself. Key word....moderation. :) As you can see, even the beloved french fry can fit into a diet if you can practice a little self and portion control.
My tips if you need to indulge in some deep fried spuds?
1. Bigger is not always better: Get a kid size and share it with your little one. Or get one large for the family and split it up that way
2. Enjoy each fry: None of of that three fries at a time madness, pay attention to what you are putting in your mouth and how much
3. I know fries are the best hot, so eat your sandwich, side salad, and water first, then eat some fries, and the draw may fade a little
4. With kids: I always have a healthier option on hand to give between the fries to be sure my daughter's nutritional needs are met
My tips if you need to indulge in some deep fried spuds?
1. Bigger is not always better: Get a kid size and share it with your little one. Or get one large for the family and split it up that way
2. Enjoy each fry: None of of that three fries at a time madness, pay attention to what you are putting in your mouth and how much
3. I know fries are the best hot, so eat your sandwich, side salad, and water first, then eat some fries, and the draw may fade a little
4. With kids: I always have a healthier option on hand to give between the fries to be sure my daughter's nutritional needs are met
McDonald's
Kids fries: 3 WW plus points/ 5g fat/ 13 carbs/ 1 protein/ 1 fiber
Small Fries: 6 WW plus points/ 11g fat/ 29 carbs/ 3 protein/ 3 fiber
Medium Fries: 10 WW plus points / 19g fat/ 48 carbs/ 4 protein/ 5 fiber
Large Fries: 13 WW plus points/ 25g fat/ 63 carbs/ 6 protein/ 6 fiber
Side salad: 0 WW plus points/ 0g fat/ 4 carbs/ 1 protein/ 1 fiber
Chick-fil-aSmall Waffle fries: 8 WW plus points/ 37 carbs/ 16g fat/ 3 protien/ 3 fiber
Medium Waffle fries: 10 WW plus points/ 45 carbs/ 21g fat/ 4 protein/ 4 fiber
Large Waffle Fries: 14 WW plus points/ 63 carbs/ 27g fat/ 6 protein/ 5 fiber
Burger King
Value fries 6 WW Plus Points/ 10g fat/ 34 carbs/ 2 protein/ 3 fiber
Small fries 9 WW Plus Points/ 15g fat/ 49 carbs/ 4 protein/ 4 fiber
Medium fries 11 WW Plus Points/ 18g fat/ 58 carbs/ 4 protein/ 4 fiber
Large fries 14 WW Plus Points/ 22g fat/ 72 carbs/ 5 protein/ 5 fiber
Value Onion Rings 4 WW Plus Points/ 8 g fat/ 19 carbs/ 1 protein/ 1 fiber
Small Onion Rings 9 WW Plus Points/ 16g fat/ 41 carbs/ 3 protein/ 3 fiber
Medium Onion Rings 11 WW Plus Points/ 21g fat/ 53 carbs/ 4 protein/ 4 fiber
Large Onion Rings 13 WWPlus Points/ 25g fat/ 64 carbs/ 5 protein/ 5 fiber
Arby's
Kids Meal Curly Fry 7 WW Plus Points/ 15g fat/ 29.1 carbs/ 3.1 Protein/ 3.1 Fiber
Curly Fry Small 10 WW Plus Points/ 21.4g fat/ 41.6 carbs/ 4.4 protein/ 4.4 Fiber
Curly Fry Medium 15 WW Plus Points/ 32g fat/ 62.5 carbs/ 6.6 protein/ 6.6 Fiber
Curly Fry Large 17 WW Plus Points/ 35.8g fat/ 69.7 carbs/ 7.4 protein/ 7.4 Fiber
Side Salad w/ Vinaigrette Dressing 6 WW Plus Points/ 17g fat/ 12 carbs/ 1 protein/ 2 fiber
Wendy's
Value Natural-cut fries 6 WW Plus Points/ 11g fat/ 28 carbs/ 3 protein/ 3 fiber
Small Natural-cut fries 8 WW Plus Points/ 15g fat/ 40 carbs/ 4 protein/ 4 fiber
Medium Natural-cut fries 11 WW Plus Points/ 20g fat/ 52 carbs/ 5 protein/ 5 fiber
Large Natural-cute fries 13 WW Plus Points/ 24g fat/ 65 carbs/ 6 protein/ 6 fiber
Oh no!!! Why is it that you post this the very first time in roughly 2 months that I choose to eat french fries... yes, this is why i love you. Awesome blog by the way, supper excited to connect with you this way! Plus, i think you are a wonderful writer :)
ReplyDeleteOh dear! Poor timing! Oh well, for next time! I did truly have you in mind as I wrote to help you from afar! :) It has helped me just as much though! Thanks for the love and following my blog! :)
DeleteI know this wasn't your intent but now I have the biggest craving for french fries. They are my weakness!!
ReplyDeleteLOL! At least now when you crave them, you know what you are getting into nutritionally! It's totally okay to indulge once in a while.
DeleteGOOD TIPS!!! I like the reminder to enjoy each fry. I tend to shove as many can fit into my mouth at once like a caveman. lol I rarely have fries, so it's a rare and overwhelming indulgence!! Thanks for this info!!
ReplyDeleteLove the caveman analogy! What a picture! Glad you enjoyed the post!!
Deletethese are some great tips. I love fries and I too am guilty of stuffing them in my mouth, I have to slow down and enjoy them when i eat them.
ReplyDeleteYes Susan S I always have to slow down when I am eating! I have even accused my darling husband of eating fries I forgot I put in my mouth! Haha!
DeleteIt's nice to see all of the stats on comparisons between different fast food places. I love fries way too much, but my son doesn't like them, so I usually eat the small portion in his kids meals.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that your son doesn't like fries! I wish my daughter was that way, but alas. Se will however choose fruit over fries any day, so I try and get fruit for her too.
DeleteGreat tips. We always get just one large and split it between the 5 of us. Fries sure are tasty, though!
ReplyDeleteYes they are good, and I do enjoy the few I eat now and then! Getting one to split always is helpful with portion control!
Deleteholy MOLY. gross. i'm glad we don't do fries much. the point totals- OMG!
ReplyDeleteI know! I was just as shocked! I mean, I knew they were unhealthy, but the total fat content ally blew me away!
DeleteOh geez, you got me with the three fries at a time bizness. I totally do that! (Did that.) Good to know that I could probably work a kids' size order of McD's fries in now and then and not feel too horrible about it.
ReplyDeleteDon't know why fries taste different 3 at a time, something must change in their molecular structure to amplify their natural tastiness! It is true, you can have your kid size fries, eat them too, and not feel so guilty! Like I said, moderation is truly the key to successfully keeping healthy habits! Enjoy! Thanks for the comment!
DeleteWe used to eat fast food often but have been really cutting back. We only get fast food fries maybe once or twice a month now!
ReplyDelete