Five Guys Fries Are Worse For You Than You Think
Sometimes you just can't help but crave salty fried food. Whether it's a bag of chips or chicken wings, salt can be nothing less than a necessity to demanding taste buds. It's not strictly your fault though because there's science at play. According to BBC Science Focus, at low concentrations salt will enhance sweet and sour flavors, while at higher levels it boosts savory tastes.
The addition of salt is a traditional ingredient when preparing French fries, a staple of the Five Guys menu that's available in two versions: Five Guys style, which are standard fries, and Cajun style, the same as the normal version, but "showered with a heavy dose of Cajun spice."
Five Guys operates worldwide, with nearly 1,700 restaurants across countries including the U.S., U.K., and Canada, according to its website. And Restaurant Business reports that Five Guys makes annual revenue of $2 billion, so clearly its food is in demand — but you might not be aware of the negative impact Five Guys fries could have on your health.
Five Guys fries are heavy on the calories and fat
The Five Guys menu shows both styles of fries contain the same nutritional content — differences seem to come with the portion sizes. Smaller portions contain 526 calories, 23 grams of fat, and 531 milligrams of sodium (salt), whereas regular sizes are filled with 953 calories, 41 grams of fat, and 962 milligrams of sodium. The large option has 1,314 calories, 57 grams of fat, and 1,327 grams of sodium (per Five Guys nutritional data).
USA Today reports that women need between 1,600 and 2,400 calories a day, while men require 2,000 to 3,000. Consuming more calories than needed can lead to weight gain, explains the NHS. Per PennState Extension, there are nine calories in every gram of fat, and no more than 35% of calories should come from fat. Sodium, meanwhile, should be restricted to less than 2,300 milligrams a day, notes the FDA. These figures show that Five Guys fries take considerable chunks out of those recommendations — especially the larger portions.
It's also worth mentioning that Five Guys uses peanut oil for frying, which may be a hazard if you have peanut allergies. However, Peanut Allergy Facts states "there is no such thing as a peanut oil allergy," so you may be in the clear. If you do have a peanut allergy, we still suggest confirming with your doctor before indulging in Five Guys fries.