Scientists Just Discovered A Way To Make Your French Fries Healthier

From plantbasednews.org

The secret to healthier french fries could be "microwave frying" 

Scientists may have figured out how to make french fries healthier.

New research suggests that combining microwaving with traditional frying could reduce oil absorption when making french fries, without sacrificing texture.

Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) studied how “microwave frying” affects the texture, water content, and oil absorption of fries.

Their first paper, “The Effect of Conventional and Microwave Frying on the Quality Characteristics of French Fries,” was published by the Journal of Food Science last year, while their new paper was published by Current Research in Food Science.

Fried food is delicious and popular, but eating too much comes with certain health risks - Media Credit: Adobe Stock

The researchers initially worked with colleagues at Washington State University to develop a special microwave fryer. The fryer combined a ceramic container to contain the oil and a rope made from fibre optic material to raise and lower a nylon sample holder. They then cooked several batches of fries using this prototype while measuring temperature, pressure, volume, texture, moisture, and oil content.

Microwaving alone results in soggy food, and frying increases oilyness, but the team found that combining the two technologies resulted in a desirable compromise between health and texture. Microwave cooking heats cut potato from the inside out, creating positive pressure and thereby reducing the amount of oil it absorbs as the fries crisp up. As a result, the researchers found that microwave frying resulted in a shorter cooking time and less oily french fries, but still retained a crispy texture.

Fried foods, fat content, texture, and french fries

The Journal of Food Science / ElsevierThe microwave fryer incorporates ceramic, nylon, and other metal-free materials

Fried foods are some of the most popular dishes in the world, and deep frying accounts for a significant proportion of global caloric intake. French fries are the most popular American dish in the US, and are even preferred to chips in the UK.

While delicious, the high fat content of fried foods means that frequent consumption can increase the risk of health issues and non-communicable diseases, including hypertension and diabetes, and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality.

“Consumers want healthy foods, but at the time of purchase, their cravings often take over,” said Pawan Singh Takhar, the principal investigator on the microwave frying research project and a professor of food engineering in UIUC’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. “High oil content adds flavour, but it also contains a lot of energy and calories. My research team studies frying with the aim of obtaining lower fat content without significant differences in taste and texture.”

https://plantbasednews.org/news/science/scientists-make-your-french-fries-healthier/

The McPlant Fizzled Out, So Can You Actually Eat Vegan at McDonald’s?

From vegnews.com

McDonald’s US may be lagging behind the rest of the world when it comes to vegan options, but it’s not impossible to eat plant-based at this fast-food chain

More than 80 years ago, the first-ever McDonald’s opened in San Bernardino, CA. Its mission, at the time, was to wow people with two things: speed and low prices. Customers could have a hamburger in their hand in just a few minutes, and it would only cost them around 15 cents (less than half a gallon of milk at the time). We know now that this was the dawn of a booming fast-food industry.

Today, McDonald’s has locations in more than 100 countries, and it also has stiff competition from chains like Burger King and KFC. But is the former pioneer of the fast-food industry keeping up with changing attitudes around diet today? 

The words “flexitarian,” “plant-based,” or “vegan” weren’t widely in use when McDonald’s flung open its doors in the 1940s. But now, more people than ever are cutting down on animal products. In fact, one 2023 study estimated that over half of young Americans now consume more plant-based meals than meat-based ones. 

From fries that contain milk to zero veggie burger options, it’s safe to say there is work to be done at McDonald’s. But it’s not totally impossible to avoid animal products at the world’s biggest fast-food chain. Here’s how to eat vegan at McDonald’s in the US.

The McPlant burger

There was a time when you could find a vegan-friendly burger at McDonald’s—but only if you lived near one of the eight test locations sprinkled across Texas, Iowa, Louisiana, and Southern California. At its height, the chain’s vegan-friendly burger—dubbed the McPlant—was served in 600 restaurants from February to August of 2022 as a test for future markets.

Due to slow sales, the burger was not greenlit for a nationwide expansion plan, forcing plant-based patrons to get scrappy when it came to ordering.

McDonald’s UK

The burger, which features a Beyond Meat plant-based patty, is still available in certain markets. It’s a permanent menu item in the UK, for example. In Germany, the McPlant is no longer available in a burger format, but McPlant Nuggets made by Beyond Meat are now on offer. In other countries such as Austria and France, the McPlant burger is no longer available, but vegetarian options remain. 

The US McPlant trial didn’t experience the same success—or menu spinoff—as other countries. This is the opposite of rival Burger King, which announced the successful nationwide launch of its plant-based Impossible Whopper in 2019.

Some have speculated that the McDonald’s McPlant trial was hindered by the fact that many of the chain’s participating US locations were in rural areas, where plant-based options aren’t as popular. However, the fast-food giant itself hasn’t commented on the trial results. It also hasn’t announced any plans for further trials or a nationwide launch.

Are McDonald’s fries vegan?

Fries are a go-to when eating fast food for most people. If there is nothing else on the menu, you can be pretty safe with an order of fries and perhaps a side salad. But not at McDonald’s. The chain’s World Famous Fries are seasoned with beef flavoring, which doesn’t contain any actual meat, but it does contain milk (go figure).

@mcdonaldsuk | Instagram

In many other countries, McDonald’s fries are vegan, so it’s worth double-checking if you’re traveling abroad. In the UK, for example, the menu item is certified as vegan by The Vegetarian Society. Several petitions have been set up urging the chain to follow suit in the US, but as of yet, there is no indication that the recipe will be changed. But, if you’re craving fast-food fries, a number of chains offer vegan French fries.

McDonald’s vegan breakfast

There may be no burger or fries, but is there at least a McDonald’s vegan breakfast? Again, the options are limited. If you’re happy with a plain English muffin, you’re in luck. But there isn’t much else. The hash browns are cooked with the same beef flavouring as the fries (which contains milk), and the oatmeal is made with dairy cream. 

VIP

If you’re in the market for black coffee or orange juice, these drink options are vegan. But note, there are no plant-based milk options. 

McDonald’s vegan options

Though they are limited, McDonald’s has a handful of other vegan options on US menu. Here are a few of the menu items available to US patrons.

1Burgers

Okay, as established, there is currently no vegan or even veggie burger option at McDonald’s in the US. But if you are really desperate, you could create something relatively substantial by making a few alterations. The burger buns are vegan, so one option is to order a regular Big Mac, request to remove the beef patty, cheese, and Big Mac sauce, add ketchup and mustard, and double up on the lettuce, onion, and pickles.

@leighakayleen/Instagram

2Sides

Fries are a no-go, but if you’ve got kids in the back of the car, you could grab a pack of Apple Slices for them to snack on. (Or just munch on them yourself!)

McDonald’s UK

3
Desserts

Customers in Germany were treated to a vegan KitKat McFlurry option in 2022, but in the US, no such menu item has appeared yet. But while most of the dessert menu is dominated by dairy, there is one option vegans can enjoy: the Baked Apple Pie, which features a hot apple filling, lattice crust, and sprinkling of sugar.

@veganamyeats/Instagram

4Condiments

Without French fries or sandwiches, we’re not quite sure what to put sauces on, but it’s always good to know what’s vegan. Along with the standard ketchup and mustard, the Tangy Barbeque and Sweet ‘N Sour dipping sauces are free from animals. Our tip to you: take these sauces home and enjoy them with your favourite vegan nuggets.

Pexels

5Soft drinks

If you’re just grabbing a quick beverage at McDonald’s, you’ll have a fair amount of choice, as most of its soft drink options, like Coca-Cola, Sprite, Dr Pepper, and sweet tea, are, of course, vegan. You could also try a Hi-C Orange Lavaburst. The fruity soda used to be a staple on the McDonald’s menu before it was discontinued a few years ago. Now, the chain has brought it back. Orange juice and apple juice cartons are also available.

@stacey_thebalifamily/Instagram

6Coffee

As there is no plant-based milk on offer, coffee options are limited. However, if you’re just stopping by for a quick caffeine hit, you can grab an Americano (black, of course), or a cup of its Premium Roast Coffee.

There’s no getting away from it, the vegan options on McDonald’s US menu are pretty poor. But thankfully, the fast-food giant is not the only chain to sell burgers. Check out our guide to vegan fast-food chains for the next time your burger craving strikes. 

https://vegnews.com/guides/vegan-at-mcdonalds-plant-based-burgers

 

These Vegan French Fries Are the Best Thing at the Drive Thru

From vegnews.com

In theory, fries shouldn’t contain animal products. In practice, that’s not always the case. Here’s a guide to which fast-food French fries are vegan

If it weren’t for potatoes, we’d be hungrier people. While delicious in any form, fries hold a special place in our hearts; they’re carb-y, salty, deep-fried, and have saved us from having to settle for salads at many fast-food restaurants. But, sadly, not all fries are vegan. We’re here to tell you which ones are.

Are French fries vegan?

All fries should be vegan, right? After all, they’re just fried, salted potatoes. While many fries are free from animal ingredients, sometimes they contain dairy or may be fried in lard.

In most cases, the fries you order from a fast-food restaurant are cooked in the same oil that’s used to fry meat and other animal products. Some vegans avoid ordering food that may be cross-contaminated, but others are okay with this as long as the fries themselves don’t contain meat or dairy ingredients. It’s a choice that’s ultimately up to the individual.

Which fast-food French fries aren’t vegan?

While most fries are vegan, there are a few that actually contain animal ingredients:

McDonald’s: These fries are cooked in oil with “natural beef flavouring,” which doesn’t contain any actual meat, but it does contain dairy.

Checkers: Their fries are coated in milk powder and fried in animal lard, so they’re unambiguously not vegan.

Popeye’s: Just like the majority of Popeye’s menu, the fries are not vegan. In this case, they’re fried in beef tallow.

This isn’t a definitive list of which fries contain animal products. Ask your server about the ingredients if you’re visiting a smaller chain or a local fast-food establishment. 

13 vegan fast-food French fries to add to your order

We dug through the top fast-food chains in the US to uncover which ones have vegan fries. In no particular order, here are 13 fast-food fries that are free from animal-derived ingredients.

1Burger King

Unlike its competitor McDonald’s, Burger King has vegan fries. 

                                                                                                                  Burger King

Served piping hot and salted, you won’t have to eat them alone since the Impossible Whopper has been on Burger King’s menu since the summer of 2019.

Apart from a burger and fries, you’ll find a few other vegan options at Burger King that will ensure you don’t have to endure hunger pangs.

2KFC 

It may be known for fried chicken, but KFC gets credit for putting vegan fries on the menu. 

                                                                                                                          KFC

The Secret Recipe Fries are seasoned with a “secret blend of herbs and spices,” according to the website. But what that really means is that they’re tossed with onion, carrot, tomato powder, and a little bit of MSG. Beyond fries, the chain’s vegan options are rather sparse. Unless you’re in a pinch, go elsewhere for sustenance; but if you’re looking for a quick bite in between meals, check out our vegan guide to KFC for the low down on vegan-friendly options. 

In the meantime, we’ll also be waiting for Beyond Fried Chicken to return in some way, shape, or form.

3Wendy’s

We may not know if Wendy’s black bean burger will ever make a return or debut nationwide, but we do know one thing: the fries are vegan.

Wendy’s fries differ from other fast-food fries in that they leave the skin on. We’re about it. 

                                                                                                                      Wendy’s

There are a few other plant-based options on Wendy’s menu that can help you round out your meal. If you need more to your meal, you could get a baked potato and have a starch-filled meal of both fried and baked spuds. And there may not be a veggie burger, but the Premium Bun is vegan. 

4Taco Bell

Yes, Taco Bell has fries! The Nacho Fries are known to come and go, so give them a try the next time you spot them on the menu, but be sure to omit the dairy queso they come with. Hungry for more? With just a few tweaks, you can enjoy a plant-based meal at the chain. Learn how to order vegan at Taco Bell with our trusty guide. 

                                                                                                                 Taco Bell

5Five Guys

At Five Guys, there are two types of vegan fries to choose from. There’s the regular option, which is deep-fried in peanut oil before being salted. Then, there are the Cajun-style fries which are also fried in oil and then seasoned with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, paprika, oregano, white pepper, and red pepper powder. 

                                                                                                                  Five Guys

As for other vegan options, Five Guys is one of those fast-food chains where you’ll have to make do with just fries. 

6In-N-Out Burger

Although it’s only located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho and Texas, In-N-Out Burger has earned a name for itself in the fast-food world. If you ever find yourself near one, unfortunately, you won’t be able to get a burger, but the fries are vegan since they’re only fried in sunflower oil. 

                                                                                                                          In-N-Out Burger

7Arby’s

This meat-centric establishment has a surprising number of vegan options, including fries! Both the crinkle-cut fries and the curly fries—a rare white whale on fast-food menus—are free from animal-based ingredients. Plus, depending on your location, you might find a third, regional option: the thick-cut homestyle fries.

                                                                                                               Arby’s

8Sonic Drive-In

The regular fries at Sonic are vegan and primed for dipping into ketchup. But if you’re seeking potatoes in another form, then you’ll be glad to know that the tater tots are also made with just plant-based ingredients.

                                                                                              @dallaspartyof2/Instagram

9Dairy Queen

No animal fat here—Dairy Queen’s fries and hash browns are both vegan. You won’t find many other animal-free options here, but surprisingly, Dairy Queen has a non-dairy version of its Dilly Bar, so you can indulge in a salty-and-sweet combination of French fries and ice cream.

                                                                                                         Dairy Queen
 

10Jack in the Box

Get ready, because Jack in the Box has a whopping three fries to choose from. The French fries, seasoned curly fries, and the potato wedges don’t contain beef tallow or any other kind of animal-based ingredients, for that matter. Plus, the hash browns are vegan, too.

                                                                                                                Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box

11   Whataburger

Fries are one of the few things on the Whataburger menu that are actually vegan. You can pair your spuds with a cheese-less garden salad and some apple slices, but not much else.

                                                                                                                            Whataburger

12Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s

Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s both share incredibly similar menus—both chains happened to be owned by the same parent company, which has chosen to market them in practically the same way. Both have natural-cut fries, but while Carl’s Jr. has waffle fries, Hardee’s has curly fries. Thankfully, all of them are vegan, but unfortunately, both Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s have discontinued the vegan-friendly Beyond Famous Star.

                                                                                                                    Hardee’s

13Shake Shack

Shake Shack’s plain crinkle cut fries are vegan. If you’re looking for a little more sustenance, with a few modifications, Shake Shack’s vegetarian burgers can be ordered vegan. For more on how to order vegan, check our guide to Shake Shack here.

                                                                                                                Shake Shack

https://vegnews.com/vegan-fast-food-french-fries