I really enjoy eating French fries. I have loved them ever since I was a small child. Like many children, I loved McDonald’s fries. I then began to enjoy other types of French fries. However, I have long believed that they are “junk food” and serve no valid nutritional purpose. Potatoes are carbohydrates, and currently, we are told to limit our carbohydrate intake to lose weight. Furthermore, they are “carbs” fried in fat, so they must be horrible for you. My hypothesis is that French fries should be avoided at all costs. I researched the issue and learned that potatoes get a bad rap. Yes, they are high in carbohydrates, including starches. However, carbohydrates are necessary for energy. The potato is actually a very concentrated form of energy which contains quite a few helpful vitamins. Some of them, such as the red-colored ones and the purple-colored ones, happen to be a serious source of antioxidants in humans. Antioxidants work to stop free radicals, which can damage cellular DNA. Potatoes also contain a high level of iron, a necessary mineral for the formation of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to the cells of the body (Lachman, J., & Hamouz, 2005).
I also learned from the video that some fats are good for you. Trans-fats should be avoided at all times. Trans-fats are broken so they have a linear structure. They have one double bond (Crash Course, 2012). They are not found in nature. Therefore, if a restaurant uses trans-fats, their French fries are very unhealthy. However, some fats, such as olive oil and peanut oil, are actually beneficial for the human body. Yes, they are also high in calories, which can lead to weight gain. Therefore, they should be eaten in limited quantities. I realized that if I want to eat French fries, I should eat healthier ones. For instance, I should use colored potatoes and leave the skins on them. This increases my fiber intake. I also learned that I should use healthy fats. I am going to bake “fries” in the oven with colored potatoes and oil on top of them. This will limit the calories and still provide me with adequate nutrition. French fries are not unhealthy, if they are cooked properly. My research showed me my hypothesis is correct that French fries could be bad. However, my research also taught me a healthier way to enjoy them!
- Crash Course. (2012). Biological molecules. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WJ2KENlK0
- Lachman, J., & Hamouz, K. (2005). Red and purple coloured potatoes as a significant antioxidant source in human nutrition-a review. Plant Soil and Environment, 51(11), 477.
