Potato, french fries, restaurant
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic fast-food staple, french fries are strips of potato deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside, with a soft, fluffy interior. They deliver a satisfying crunch and a savory, salty flavor that's deeply comforting. Nutritionally, they are a dense source of energy, primarily from carbohydrates and fats.
Calorie split: 5% protein · 51% carbs · 44% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love french fries for their irresistible combination of salty, savory flavor and the textural contrast between a crispy exterior and a tender interior. They are a universally beloved comfort food, deeply embedded in casual dining and social eating cultures worldwide.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Due to their high fat and refined carbohydrate content, they can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes and are calorie-dense, which may be a concern for those managing weight or blood sugar. To counteract this, pair them with a protein source (like a burger or chicken) or a healthy fat (like avocado) to slow digestion, and practice portion control by sharing a serving or choosing a small size.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Contains potassium, an essential electrolyte
- Offers some dietary fiber, especially with skin-on versions
- A familiar, comforting food that can boost mood
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The debate over whether french fries originated in France or Belgium is so intense that the Belgian town of Bruges has a friet museum (Frietmuseum) dedicated solely to the history of the potato fry.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 43.2 g |
| Energy | 289 kcal |
| Protein | 3.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 14.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 37.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 3.9 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.28 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 17.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.91 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 29.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 124 mg |
| Potassium, K | 545 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 357 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.51 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.11 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.1 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.11 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 2.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.24 mg |
| Folate, total | 15.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 15.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 15.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 36.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 27.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 35.9 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.80 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.4 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 6.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 5.8 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.84 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 1.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Snacks, potato chips, made from dried potatoes, reduced fat — USDA does not publish this profile for Potato.
| Tryptophan | 0.04 g |
| Threonine | 0.24 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.25 g |
| Leucine | 0.37 g |
| Lysine | 0.35 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.07 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.26 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.22 g |
| Valine | 0.33 g |
| Arginine | 0.27 g |
| Histidine | 0.13 g |
| Alanine | 0.20 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.1 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.94 g |
| Glycine | 0.19 g |
| Proline | 0.20 g |
| Serine | 0.23 g |
FAQ
Are french fries gluten-free?
Plain potatoes are gluten-free, but fries can be cross-contaminated if fried in shared oil with breaded items. Always check with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity.
Why do some fries stay crispy longer?
Fries are often double-fried: first at a lower temperature to cook the interior, then at a higher temperature to crisp the exterior. This process, along with specific potato varieties like Russets, helps create a durable crust.
What is the difference between steak fries and shoestring fries?
Steak fries are thick-cut wedges, offering a fluffier interior and more potato flavor. Shoestring fries are very thin and cut into matchsticks, maximizing crispiness and surface area for salt adhesion.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.89 kcal/g · 5% calories from protein · 3.9 g fiber · 0.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.66 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.