Potato, french fries, with cheese
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is the ultimate comfort food: golden, crispy French fries blanketed in a rich, molten cheese sauce. The texture is a satisfying crunch giving way to a soft interior, all coated in a savory, salty, and creamy layer. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense side or snack, providing a significant boost of carbohydrates and fats for quick energy.
Calorie split: 5% protein · 46% carbs · 49% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the irresistible combination of salty, crispy fries and creamy, savory cheese, making it a universally popular indulgence. It's a staple at movie theaters, sports events, and casual eateries, representing a fun, shareable comfort food experience.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat and carbohydrate content can contribute to blood-sugar spikes and is calorie-dense, making it a concern for those managing weight or blood sugar. To mitigate this, consider portion control, pairing with a protein-rich side (like grilled chicken), or opting for a baked rather than deep-fried version to reduce fat intake.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates.
- Contains a small amount of protein from the cheese.
- Offers dietary fiber from the potato.
- Can be a source of calcium from the cheese.
- Serves as a highly palatable comfort food.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The classic cheese sauce for fries is often a processed cheese product like Cheez Whiz, which was invented in 1952 and was designed to melt smoothly without separating, making it perfect for topping hot fries.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 50.8 g |
| Energy | 260 kcal |
| Protein | 3.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 14.2 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 29.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.30 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 37.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.72 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 25.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 101 mg |
| Potassium, K | 387 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 365 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.47 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 3.1 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.14 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.05 mg |
| Niacin | 2.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.25 mg |
| Folate, total | 25.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 21.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 28.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 25.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.03 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 7.0 ug |
| Retinol | 7.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 18.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 11.0 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.6 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.4 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.74 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.6 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.09 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 4.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.5 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.45 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 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 | 3.0 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
Is this a healthy food?
No, it's a high-calorie, high-fat, and high-carb food best enjoyed in moderation as an occasional treat.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Yes, you can bake or air-fry the potatoes and use a lower-fat cheese sauce or a sprinkle of real cheese to reduce calories and fat.
What is the main nutritional concern?
The main concern is the high fat and carbohydrate content, which can lead to weight gain and blood-sugar spikes if consumed frequently or in large portions.
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 2.60 kcal/g · 5% calories from protein · 2.6 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: 0.94 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.