Most people know eating French fries isn’t healthy. Not only are they deep fried, but white potatoes are high in glycemic carbs that raise blood sugars and insulin levels too rapidly. Not to mention deep fried foods contain cancer causing chemicals called acrylamides.

On the other hand, there are plenty of French fry lovers who aren’t about to give up the experience of dipping a hot, crispy French fry into a cool dollop of ketchup. As it turns out, they may be able to reduce some of the health damage by choosing potato rings over standard fries.

What are potato rings? Potato rings are circular in shape – similar in appearance to onion rings – and are already sold at some fast food restaurants and restaurants. An example is the ever popular curly fries sold at Arby’s. As it turns out, many people prefer the shape and the taste of potato rings to traditional French fried potato strips anyway. 

According to a study published in the Journal of Food Science, not only are potato rings tastier than traditional French fried potato strips, they’re also healthier. When potato rings are cooked, they soak up 22% less artery hardening oil than traditional French fries. This may not sound like a lot, but for people who eat French fries regularly, it can make a difference in the health of their arteries.

Potato rings are also lower in acrylamides – a cancer causing chemical that’s formed when starchy, high carbohydrate foods such as potatoes are heated to high temperatures. French fries and potato chips are two foods that have the highest acrylamide content.

Manufacturers of French fries, chips, and other starchy foods that are cooked to high temperatures are scurrying around trying to figure out how to lower levels of acrylamides in their products because of the health risks.

Potato rings are lower in acrylamides than French fried potato strips because they don’t have to be fried as long to get the same flavor and texture. In fact, traditional French fries have a 163% higher acrylamide content compared to potato rings.

What does this mean? It’s healthier to choose potato rings or curly fries over traditional French fried potato strips – but don’t be fooled. Curly fries aren’t health food by any means. Best to reserve French fries as a special treat – and stick with fruits and vegetables instead.

References:

Food Production Daily website. “Ring fries Beat French fries on Health and Taste: Study”.

Filed under: Fitness

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!