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Fast food vs. French fries — In-Depth Nutrition Comparison

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A recap on differences between Fast food and French fries

  • Fast food is higher in Vitamin B12, Selenium, Iron, Vitamin B2, Zinc, Vitamin B3, Folate, and Vitamin B1, yet French fries are higher in Vitamin B6, and Potassium.
  • Fast food covers your daily Vitamin B12 needs 37% more than French fries.
  • Fast food contains 23 times more Selenium than French fries. While Fast food contains 20.3µg of Selenium, French fries contain only 0.9µg.

Food varieties used in this article are Fast foods, hamburger; single, regular patty; plain and Fast foods, potato, french fried in vegetable oil.

Infographic

Fast food vs French fries infographic
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Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Contains more Calcium +244.4%
Contains more Iron +277.8%
Contains more Zinc +404%
Contains more Manganese +44.5%
Contains more Selenium +2155.6%
Contains more Magnesium +29.6%
Contains more Potassium +193.9%
Contains less Sodium -36.6%
Equal in Phosphorus - 125
Equal in Copper - 0.124
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 19% 115% 20% 58% 18% 44% 69% 41% 47% 111%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 6% 31% 25% 54% 52% 28% 14% 42% 33% 5%
Contains more Calcium +244.4%
Contains more Iron +277.8%
Contains more Zinc +404%
Contains more Manganese +44.5%
Contains more Selenium +2155.6%
Contains more Magnesium +29.6%
Contains more Potassium +193.9%
Contains less Sodium -36.6%
Equal in Phosphorus - 125
Equal in Copper - 0.124

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
:
Contains more Vitamin A +∞%
Contains more Vitamin D +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +86.5%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +830.8%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +87%
Contains more Folate +166.7%
Contains more Vitamin B12 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin E +339.5%
Contains more Vitamin C +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +75.5%
Contains more Vitamin K +128.6%
Equal in Vitamin B5 - 0.58
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 4% 8% 3% 0% 80% 84% 106% 32% 49% 60% 112% 13%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 0% 34% 0% 16% 43% 9% 57% 35% 86% 23% 0% 28%
Contains more Vitamin A +∞%
Contains more Vitamin D +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +86.5%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +830.8%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +87%
Contains more Folate +166.7%
Contains more Vitamin B12 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin E +339.5%
Contains more Vitamin C +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +75.5%
Contains more Vitamin K +128.6%
Equal in Vitamin B5 - 0.58

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Protein +381.6%
Contains more Fats +22.6%
Contains more Carbs +31.6%
Contains more Other +21.7%
Equal in Water - 38.55
17% 12% 32% 38%
Protein: 16.52 g
Fats: 12.01 g
Carbs: 31.5 g
Water: 38.45 g
Other: 1.52 g
3% 15% 41% 39% 2%
Protein: 3.43 g
Fats: 14.73 g
Carbs: 41.44 g
Water: 38.55 g
Other: 1.85 g
Contains more Protein +381.6%
Contains more Fats +22.6%
Contains more Carbs +31.6%
Contains more Other +21.7%
Equal in Water - 38.55

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains less Saturated Fat -48%
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +23.5%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +221.3%
41% 44% 15%
Saturated Fat: 4.493 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 4.835 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 1.68 g
17% 44% 39%
Saturated Fat: 2.336 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 5.969 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 5.398 g
Contains less Saturated Fat -48%
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +23.5%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +221.3%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Fast food French fries
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Rich in minerals ok
Lower in price Equal
Rich in vitamins Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Fast food French fries Opinion
Net carbs 29.8g 37.64g French fries
Protein 16.52g 3.43g Fast food
Fats 12.01g 14.73g French fries
Carbs 31.5g 41.44g French fries
Calories 297kcal 312kcal French fries
Starch 22.87g Fast food
Fructose 2.27g Fast food
Sugar 4.88g 0.3g French fries
Fiber 1.7g 3.8g French fries
Calcium 62mg 18mg Fast food
Iron 3.06mg 0.81mg Fast food
Magnesium 27mg 35mg French fries
Phosphorus 134mg 125mg Fast food
Potassium 197mg 579mg French fries
Sodium 331mg 210mg French fries
Zinc 2.52mg 0.5mg Fast food
Copper 0.121mg 0.124mg French fries
Manganese 0.357mg 0.247mg Fast food
Selenium 20.3µg 0.9µg Fast food
Vitamin A 51IU 0IU Fast food
Vitamin A RAE 9µg 0µg Fast food
Vitamin E 0.38mg 1.67mg French fries
Vitamin D 2IU 0IU Fast food
Vitamin D 0.1µg 0µg Fast food
Vitamin C 0mg 4.7mg French fries
Vitamin B1 0.317mg 0.17mg Fast food
Vitamin B2 0.363mg 0.039mg Fast food
Vitamin B3 5.617mg 3.004mg Fast food
Vitamin B5 0.53mg 0.58mg French fries
Vitamin B6 0.212mg 0.372mg French fries
Folate 80µg 30µg Fast food
Vitamin B12 0.89µg 0µg Fast food
Vitamin K 4.9µg 11.2µg French fries
Tryptophan 0.144mg Fast food
Threonine 0.46mg Fast food
Isoleucine 0.642mg Fast food
Leucine 1.13mg Fast food
Lysine 0.785mg Fast food
Methionine 0.306mg Fast food
Phenylalanine 0.67mg Fast food
Valine 0.728mg Fast food
Histidine 0.402mg Fast food
Cholesterol 33mg 0mg French fries
Trans Fat 0.514g 0.06g French fries
Saturated Fat 4.493g 2.336g French fries
Omega-3 - DHA 0.001g 0g Fast food
Omega-3 - EPA 0.005g 0g Fast food
Omega-3 - DPA 0.009g 0g Fast food
Monounsaturated Fat 4.835g 5.969g French fries
Polyunsaturated fat 1.68g 5.398g French fries
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.003g 0.007g French fries
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 1.391g 4.898g French fries
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0.004g 0.029g French fries
Omega-3 - ALA 0.121g 0.407g French fries
Omega-3 - Eicosatrienoic acid 0g 0.001g French fries
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0.009g 0g Fast food

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Fast food French fries
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Calories diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

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Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
46%
Fast food
27%
French fries
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
54%
Fast food
28%
French fries

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?
French fries
French fries is lower in Sugar (difference - 4.58g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
French fries
French fries contains less Sodium (difference - 121mg)
Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
French fries
French fries is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 33mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
French fries
French fries is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 2.157g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Fast food
Fast food is lower in glycemic index (difference - 4)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Fast food
Fast food is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is cheaper?
?
The foods are relatively equal in price ($)
Which food is richer in vitamins?
?
It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Fast food - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170693/nutrients
  2. French fries - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170698/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.