Quick Answer
A medium order of fries from Whataburger contains approximately 350 calories. However, the exact calorie count can vary depending on the size of the fries ordered.
Calories in Whataburger French Fries
Whataburger offers french fries in three different sizes – small, medium, and large. Here are the approximate calories for each size:
| Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| Small | 230 |
| Medium | 350 |
| Large | 470 |
As you can see, the calorie count increases significantly with each larger size. A small order of Whataburger fries has about 230 calories, while a large order contains nearly 500 calories.
Nutritional Information
In addition to calories, here is some other key nutritional information for Whataburger’s french fries:
– Total Fat: 15-25g
– Saturated Fat: 2.5-4g
– Trans Fat: 0g
– Cholesterol: 0mg
– Sodium: 270-450mg
– Total Carbohydrates: 45-75g
– Dietary Fiber: 3-5g
– Sugars: 0g
– Protein: 3g
The fries get most of their calories from fat and carbohydrates. A medium order provides about 15g of total fat, including 2.5g of saturated fat. They also contain around 60g of carbs.
Whataburger fries are fried in vegetable oil, so they contain no cholesterol or trans fats. They also have a small amount of protein and fiber. The sodium content ranges from 270mg to 450mg depending on the size.
Ingredients
Whataburger uses simple ingredients to make their french fries:
– Potatoes
– Vegetable Oil (canola oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil)
– Salt
– Dextrose
– Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (maintain color)
– Natural Beef Flavor [hydrolyzed corn gluten and hydrolyzed soy protein]
– Corn, Cottonseed, Palm and Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oils (used to fry the fries)
Fresh potatoes are cut into fry shapes, blanched, fried once, frozen, and then fried again when ordered. This double-frying method helps the fries achieve a crispy outside and fluffy interior.
The fries are cooked in a blend of vegetable oils. Salt is added for flavor. Dextrose helps with browning, while SAPP keeps the color consistent. Natural beef flavor, which contains hydrolyzed corn and soy, is also added.
Comparing Whataburger Fries to Other Fast Food Chains
How do Whataburger’s fries stack up against other popular fast food chains? Here’s a comparison of a medium serving of fries from a few different restaurants:
| Restaurant | Calories | Total Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whataburger | 350 | 15 | 60 | 450 |
| McDonald’s | 340 | 16 | 47 | 290 |
| Burger King | 360 | 18 | 51 | 370 |
| Wendy’s | 380 | 19 | 54 | 270 |
As you can see, medium fries at most major chains have between 340-380 calories. Whataburger is on the lower end of the range. In terms of fat, carbs, and sodium, Whataburger fries are also very similar to other popular restaurants.
So if you’re looking for the healthiest fast food french fries, there’s no clear winner. Whataburger fries are very comparable to other leading chains. The differences in calories and nutrition facts between them are relatively minor.
Tips for Making Whataburger Fries Healthier
While french fries will never be considered a health food, there are some simple tweaks you can make to lighten up your order:
Size Down
Choosing a small fries instead of a medium or large will automatically cut down the calories significantly. A small has around 230 calories, compared to 350 for a medium and nearly 500 for a large.
Skip the Fry Sauce
Whataburger’s fry sauce adds an extra 70 calories and 9 grams of fat per packet. Skip the sauce to save on calories.
Get a Side Salad
Order a side salad instead of fries once in awhile. Whataburger’s side salads range from 60-150 calories, which is much lighter than fries.
Split Your Fries
If you really want fries, consider splitting a small or medium order with a friend. This allows you to enjoy a portion of fries while cutting the calories in half.
Mix In Onion Rings
Alternate bites of fries with onion rings. Onion rings have about 140 calories for a medium order, so mixing the two cuts down on overall calories compared to just fries.
Dip in Ketchup
Ketchup has only 20 calories per packet, compared to 70 for fry sauce. Dip your fries in ketchup to add flavor without a lot of extra calories.
Healthier Fries at Home
Making fries from scratch at home allows you to control the ingredients and customize them to be healthier. Here are some tips:
Use Sweet Potatoes
Swap regular white potatoes for sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes have more nutrients like vitamin A and fiber.
Leave the Skin On
Leaving the potato skin on adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Just wash the potatoes well before cutting.
Use Healthy Oils
Opt for heart-healthy oils like avocado or olive oil instead of vegetable or canola oil to fry.
Add Spices
Flavor fries with spices like garlic powder, paprika, rosemary or cayenne instead of salt.
Bake Instead of Fry
Baking fries instead of frying allows you to skip the added oil. Lay potato wedges on a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick spray and bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
Air Fry
Using an air fryer creates crispy fries without submerging them in oil. Air frying saves calories compared to deep frying.
Conclusion
Whataburger’s french fries range from 230 calories for a small to 470 calories for a large. A medium order, which is the most popular size, contains about 350 calories. While not the healthiest menu option, Whataburger fries can definitely be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. There are also easy ways to tweak your order, like choosing a smaller size or skipping the fry sauce, to make it a bit lighter. Make fries at home for the healthiest results so you control the ingredients. But when you’re craving that unique Whataburger fry flavor and crunch, just opt for the small size and dip in ketchup to keep your serving in check.
