French fries are a popular side dish at many fast food restaurants, including Whataburger. However, French fries are also high in carbohydrates, so people watching their carb intake may wonder how many carbs are in Whataburger’s large French fries. In this article, we will look at the nutritional information for Whataburger’s large French fries to determine the carb count. We will also consider how the carb count of Whataburger fries compares to fries from other fast food chains.
What are carbs?
Before looking at the specific carb count of Whataburger fries, let’s review what carbohydrates (or carbs) are. Carbs are one of the three main macronutrients found in food, along with protein and fat. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body and brain.
There are three main types of carbs:
- Sugars – Found naturally in foods like fruits and milk. Also added to foods for sweetness.
- Starches – Found in foods like bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes.
- Fiber – Found in plant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts.
When tracking carb intake, sugars and starches are counted, while fiber is not since it does not provide calories or spike blood sugar.
Monitoring carb intake
People monitor their carb intake for a variety of reasons. Individuals with diabetes need to track their carbs to help manage blood sugar levels. People on low-carb diets like the ketogenic diet restrict carbs to promote fat burning. Athletes may also monitor carb intake to optimize performance and recovery.
Knowing the carb content of menu items can help people make informed food choices that align with their health or nutrition goals. Being aware of carb counts allows people to balance their meals and snack selections throughout the day. Moderating carb consumption from processed foods like French fries is often recommended for good health.
Nutrition Information for Whataburger French Fries
Now that we have reviewed some carb basics, let’s look at the nutrition facts for a large order of Whataburger French fries:
Serving Size
According to Whataburger’s website, the serving size for a large French fries is 156g. This is the reference amount used to calculate the nutritional information.
Calories
A large serving of Whataburger French fries contains 350 calories. About 50% of those calories come from fat.
Total Fat
There are 19g of total fat in a large Whataburger French fry serving. This amounts to 29% of the Daily Value (DV).
Saturated Fat
Out of the 19g total fat, 5g are saturated fat. This is 25% of the DV for saturated fat.
Trans Fat
Whataburger French fries contain 0g of trans fat.
Cholesterol
A large order of Whataburger fries contains 0mg of cholesterol.
Sodium
There are 270mg of sodium in a large serving of Whataburger French fries. This is 12% of the DV for sodium.
Total Carbohydrates
Each large order of Whataburger French fries contains 48g of total carbohydrates. This amounts to 16% of the DV.
Dietary Fiber
Out of the total carbs, 4g are dietary fiber. This is 14% of the daily recommended fiber intake.
Sugars
Whataburger French fries contain 0g of sugar per serving.
Protein
There are 3g of protein in a large order of Whataburger fries.
So to answer our original question, a large order of Whataburger French fries contains 48g of total carbohydrates.
Comparing Whataburger French Fry Carbs to Other Chains
How does the carb count of Whataburger’s large fries compare to other fast food chains? Here is a table looking at the total carb contents of large French fry servings at several popular fast food restaurants:
| Restaurant | Serving Size | Total Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Whataburger | 156g | 48 |
| McDonald’s | 154g | 64 |
| Burger King | 171g | 57 |
| Wendy’s | 154g | 67 |
| Arby’s | 173g | 53 |
| Sonic | 217g | 67 |
| Jack in the Box | 172g | 54 |
As you can see, a large order of Whataburger French fries has slightly fewer total carbs than the large fries at most other major chains. McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Sonic have the most carb-heavy French fries out of the group compared. Whataburger strikes a good balance of tasty fries while still being moderately lower in carbs than competitors.
However, it is important to note that all French fries are high in carbohydrates overall. A large serving of fries from any restaurant will provide a significant amount of carbs. Individuals tracking their carb intake should be mindful of portion sizes when indulging in this popular side dish.
Tips for Reducing Carbs When Dining at Whataburger
If you are limiting carbs, here are some tips for reducing your carb intake when eating at Whataburger:
Size Down on Fries
Order a small or medium-sized French fry instead of a large. This cuts down on the overall carb content. A small Whataburger fry has 29g carbs compared to 48g in a large.
Skip Fries Entirely
Eliminate the French fries altogether and choose a lower carb side item instead. Whataburger’s side salad or green beans both contain under 10g net carbs.
Opt for a Lettuce Wrap
Order your Whataburger sandwich wrapped in lettuce leaves instead of a bun to remove those extra carbs. All sandwiches can be made this way upon request.
Avoid Sugary Drinks
Skip soda, shakes, and juices and stick to unsweetened iced tea, water, or diet sodas to minimize sugar intake.
Add Extra Veggies
Load up your Whataburger with extra tomatoes, lettuce, pickles to increase the fiber and nutrition. This can help balance the carb impact and keep you feeling full.
Choose Grilled Chicken
Opt for grilled chicken over breaded options to reduce carbs and increase protein. Grilled chicken sandwiches and nuggets at Whataburger have under 5g net carbs.
Check Nutrition Info
Use Whataburger’s online nutrition calculator to build your perfect lower carb meal. This allows you to see carb counts for customized orders.
Health Impact of Frequent Fry Consumption
While the occasional serving of French fries can be fine for most people, regularly eating large portions of fries can negatively impact health over time. Some potential risks of frequent fry consumption include:
Weight Gain
The high calorie and fat content of French fries can lead to excess calorie intake and unwanted weight gain if eaten regularly. The body efficiently stores excess calories from fries as body fat.
Increased Heart Disease Risk
Frequent intake of fried foods like fries has been associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease. This is due to negative impacts on cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation.
Higher Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Eating a lot of refined carbs from foods like fries may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, particularly in those with obesity or family history. This occurs because of blood sugar spikes.
Nutrient Imbalances
Since fries are high in fat and carbs but low in protein, vitamins and minerals, a diet heavy in fries can lead to nutrient deficiencies over time. Nutrient imbalances can cause issues.
Gastrointestinal Problems
The high fat content of French fries may cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some people, leading to issues like acid reflux, bloating, diarrhea or other digestion issues if eaten frequently.
Moderating portion sizes of French fries and limiting their frequency is advised for long term health and waistline management. Balancing fries with more nutritious whole foods is key.
Making Healthier French Fries at Home
If you want to indulge in French fries occasionally while limiting negative impacts, making them at home can be a healthier option. Here are some tips for better-for-you homemade fries:
Choose a Starchy Vegetable
Swap white potatoes for lower carb vegetables like sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots, or jicama. This cuts down on the total carbs while still giving you crispy fries.
Use Olive or Avocado Oil
Choose a heart healthy cooking oil like olive or avocado instead of vegetable, soybean or canola oil. Healthy oils provide more monounsaturated fats.
Season with Spices
Skip the salt and experiment with fresh herbs, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder or other spices to add flavor without extra calories or sodium.
Bake Instead of Frying
Baking fries instead of deep frying allows you to skip the added calories and fat of frying. Baking gives a nice crisp texture with less oil.
Portion Control
Measure out appropriate single serving sizes instead of eating directly from a large batch. This enables better portion control and prevents overeating.
Eat in Moderation
Homemade fries should still be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. Don’t eat them too frequently or in large portions.
With some simple tweaks, homemade fries can be a guilt-free treat when you are craving their delicious flavor and crunch!
Conclusion
A large order of Whataburger French fries contains 48 grams of total carbohydrates, which is slightly less than other major fast food chains. Individuals watching their carb intake can employ various strategies to reduce carbs when dining at Whataburger, like skipping the fries, opting for lettuce wraps, and choosing lower carb side items. While an occasional indulgence in fries is unlikely to be harmful for most, frequent overconsumption may negatively impact health and waistlines over time. Making healthier fries at home with wholesome ingredients and proper portion sizes can satisfy cravings while avoiding pitfalls of eating too many fast food fries.
