French fries

French fries

French fries are a fast food made from potatoes that have been cut into less-than-quarter-inch, stringy length-wise slices and deep-fat fried (twice in some recipes). They are very popular in the United States; they are often served with hamburgers and many connoisseurs pour ketchup over them. In Belgium and France, (where they are called frites) they are commonly eaten with mayonnaise. In Canada, they are served with gravy and cheese curds in a dish called poutine. In Britain they are called 'chips', are generally thicker than the American and European fries (usually about half an inch thick), and are often garnished with salt or malt vinegar, although gravy and curry sauce are more recent, popular accompaniments. However, American style thinner fries are often called "fries" in Britain, and both types are widely available.

Freedom Fries

Near the start of the Iraq War in 2003, a wave of anti-French sentiment briefly swept the United States over France's opposition to the U.S.-led coalition. As a protest, for a while the Congressional cafeteria refused to use the name "French fries," serving them under the substitute name "Freedom fries." Representatives Bob Ney (R-OH) and Walter B. Jones (R-NC) were responsible for declaring that all references to "French" in the United States House of Representatives' restaurants and snack bars be removed. Said Ney after personally changing the signs in the House cafeteria, Once again, our brave men and women in the American military are putting their lives on the line to ensure the freedom and security of others, and once again, France is sitting on the sidelines. At the time, however, French forces were among the coalition troops fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Also notably, French fries are only french fries, because of the way they are prepared; frenching.

This was similar to the renaming of other items, such as foods, in war-time. For example, during the first world war sauerkraut was renamed liberty cabbage and dachsunds liberty hounds. Also, in Britain, German Shepherd dogs were renamed Alsatians.

The French responded only by pointing out that French fries originate in Belgium. A spokeswoman (Nathalie Loisau) said, "We are at a very serious moment dealing with very serious issues and we are not focusing on the name you give to potatoes."

Capitol Hill, however, reverted to the "French" label in 2006.

Fish fry with French fries.

Friendship Fries

After the French elected the neoconservative, rather pro-US and pro-Israel president Nicolas Sarkozy, some have suggested renaming French Fries to Friendship Fries.

Criticisms of the nutritional value and health risks of french fries

See also: Consumption of ultra-processed foods and health risks

Picture of french fries.

According to Healthline.com's 2017 article The 15 Unhealthiest Junk Foods in America: "In spite of their popularity, these deep-fried potatoes are very unhealthy."

According to the website Healthline.com's 2017 article The 15 Unhealthiest Junk Foods in America:

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French fries are one of the most popular fast food items around. In spite of their popularity, these deep-fried potatoes are very unhealthy. Studies have linked deep-fried foods to inflammation, heart disease and impaired artery function, among other health problems. What’s more, fries are extremely high in calories and fast-digesting carbs.

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Fortune magazine's wellness portion of its website, Fortune Well, in its article entitled French fries on the brain? New study says eating ultra-processed food might lead to cognitive decline indicates:

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You may want to think twice before you reach for that bag of potato chips. According to a new study, eating ultra-processed foods, such as ice cream, hot dogs, and french fries, for more than 20% of your caloric intake could lead to cognitive decline, especially with regards to memory and executive function–the part of the brain that helps us plan, focus, and make decisions. While high intake of ultra-processed foods have been associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer and believed to induce systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, little was known about its effect on cognition until now. The study, which was presented Monday at the 2022 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in San Diego by Natalia Gonçalves, PhD from the University of São Paulo, followed roughly 10,000 Brazilians for up to 10 years and defined ultra-processed foods as “those that go through significant industrial processes and contain large quantities of fats, sugar, salt, artificial flavors/colors, stabilizers and/or preservatives.” More than half of the participants were white and women and the average age was 51. Cognitive performance was evaluated using an array of tests: immediate recall, late recall, recognition, semantic and phonemic verbal fluency and trail-making tests. The most common foods participants reported eating were hot dogs, burgers, pizza, fast food, instant noodles, packaged bread, according to Gonçalves. While the suggested daily caloric intake depends on a variety of factors, including age, weight and height, as well as level of physical activity, the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests 2,200–2,800 calories for men between 41-50 years old and 1,800–2,200 calories for women between 41-50 years old, so 20% of a 2,200-calorie diet would be 440 calories. Meanwhile, a snack-sized bag of chips is about 150 calories and there are roughly 285 calories in a slice of pizza.

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