There’s no denying that McDonald’s fries can be a delicious weekend treat, especially since you can get them for free on Fridays with a $1 app purchase. However, employees and health experts have warned that they come with their fair share of health risks.
We spoke to Nutrition Specialist Sarah Chatfield, RDN of Health Canal to learn more about the risks at hand. She says that while the popular salty snack might be enticing, McDonald’s fries are a nightmare when it comes to your nutrition. Here’s why:
They’re Packed With Unhealthy Additives
In a video from McDonald’s Canada, production manager Mario Dupuis of McDonald’s supplier McCain Fries explains that the fries are treated with a “dextrose solution” and other ingredients to prevent the fries from “graying.” Yikes! Dextrose and sodium acid pyrophosphate may be more than what most people think they are in for when ordering a simple side of salty potato fries—and all because they want to keep the uniform yellow color?!
Chatfield heeds warning about these additives, noting that they can do a number on your overall health and lead to unwanted weight gain. “Eating ultra-processed foods (with long lists of additives) such as fast food have been linked to overeating and a higher risk of obesity and other chronic diseases,” she explains. So, if you want to keep your body in tip-top shape, it’s best to avoid this snack along with other highly processed options.
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They Contain Trans Fats
In addition to this plethora of additives, Chatfield says there's another reason to avoid McDonald's French fries: trans fats. "Fried fast foods such as French fries are the biggest source of artificial trans fats, since the high frying temperature can increase trans fat content in the cooking oil," she warns.
But what exactly are trans fats, and why are they so bad for you? Chatfield explains that they're a type of unsaturated fat that will increase the amount of bad cholesterol in your body (LDL cholesterol) and reduce the good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). When your cholesterol levels get thrown out of whack like this, it can cause serious damage to your heart. "[Trans fats] have also been linked to an increase risk of heart attack and stroke," Chatfield says. Uh-oh! Maybe we'll skip the fries, then.
They're Not Vegan
Eat This, Not That points out people who want to avoid animal products shouldn't eat McDonald's fries because "natural beef flavor" is on of the listed ingredients. According to to the company, "natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients." Yikes!
Chatfield gives the same warning: "Vegetarians and anyone with allergies to milk or wheat should avoid McDonald’s fries, due to the addition of beef flavoring containing milk and wheat ingredients," she says.
While this may not be a reason for everyone to avoid this fast food side, it's certainly concerning for those with certain intolerances. And when combined with all the other health risks at hand, it could be enough to seal the deal on your decision to never order McDonald's fries again.
