Apparently eating more than six fries per serving can 'put your life at risk'
5 December 2018, 17:11
RIP to yummy fries because this Harvard professor has just ruined everything.
You know those beautiful words uttered at any fast food establishment, "You want fries with that?" or "Want to make that a meal?" Well, that could be a thing of the past if Dr Eric Rimm ever gets his way. Apparently you should only eat six fries as a proper portion now because they're so bad for your health.
Dr Rimm – who works at Harvard's Nutrition Department – made the shocking declaration in The New York Times, calling fries "starch bombs". He clearly forgot to add VERY tasty starch bombs, but whatever…
According to science, we should just ignore everything we know about all vegetables being good for us. Yeah, potatoes are a vegetable, but apparently they're not that good for us and nowhere near as nutrient-dense as green leafy veggies. Removing the skin from the potato only makes it worse too because it's where some of its nutrients are found. And then by deep frying it in oil, topping it with salt, smothering it with cheese and other condiments, you've got yourself a (very appetising) problem.
Last year, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that potatoes have a high glycemic index, which has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. People who ate fries two to three times a week were at a higher risk of dying compared with those who ate potatoes that had not been fried.
Steak, crinkle cut and shoestring fries are the worst, followed closely by waffle and curly fries because both have a greater surface area to soak up oil. Dr Rimm suggests having just one quarter of your fries order next time to stay healthy, or six fries, and substitute the rest with… a salad.
However, the thought of a chip-less world sent people into a bit of a panic.
What kind of MAD MAN would want six french fries? I get it, they are bad for you, but eating SIX sounds like torture. I’d rather not have them at all. But we all know that’s not going to happen. 🍟 pic.twitter.com/dDT4HYjNUF
— ⚜️ηαтαℓιє ℓσ¢кєтт⚜️ (@natlckettwrites) November 29, 2018
“I think it would be nice if your meal came with a side salad and six French fries.” This is why academics are the first to be rounded up and targeted under dictatorships https://t.co/kqIfFPiu4i
— Jennine Khalik (@jennineak) December 4, 2018
Imagine pulling up to the McDonalds and they hand you six fries. There’d be riots in the streets. https://t.co/T9KAteZkOv
— X (@XLNB) December 4, 2018
I'll have six french fries, please. pic.twitter.com/7LvycWkvyV
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) December 5, 2018
Harvard guy: You should only have 6 fries per serving.
— Frosty The Snow Jar (@BravesSwearJar) December 4, 2018
Me: Ok. pic.twitter.com/m7TOLV6nVS
Just saw something that said you’re only supposed to eat SIX french fries in one sitting. I’ve never felt so attacked.
— Allison Viray (@AllisonViray) December 3, 2018
when I’m hungry I’m probably eating 6 fries per bite if we’re being honest https://t.co/QbiHbJQ9IY
— Chance Harbour (@ChanceHarbour) December 5, 2018
In hell you can only eat 6 french fries
— 🎅🎄Merry Tricksmas🎅🎄 (@DropsNoPanties) December 4, 2018
Ima be real with you chief...aint nobldy eatin 6 fries a serving. https://t.co/90P9nO6dVR
— ShinyDubs (@ProtoDubs) December 4, 2018
Wait, before you go into an absolute meltdown about possibly going fries-free (God forbid) there are some other alternatives. Homebaking your fries or making skin-on wedges are considerably healthier. Meanwhile, sweet potato fries contain more fibre and Vitamin A.
So are we going to think twice before reaching for the fries now? Yes. I'm thinking, do they need mayo, ketchup or BBQ?
