When trying to make healthy eating choices at fast food restaurants, it’s important to know the calorie counts of menu items. This allows you to balance your meal and avoid overdoing it on high calorie foods.
Zaxby’s Fries Nutrition Facts
A regular order of fries at Zaxby’s contains the following nutrition facts:
| Serving Size | Medium (154g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 520 |
| Total Fat | 26g |
| Sodium | 1030mg |
| Total Carbs | 63g |
| Protein | 5g |
As you can see, a medium order of fries at Zaxby’s contains 520 calories. This accounts for a significant portion of most people’s recommended daily calorie intake.
What Influences the Calorie Count
There are a few factors that account for the high calorie count in Zaxby’s fries:
- Fried in oil – Zaxby’s fries are fried in a blend of canola and peanut oil, adding significant calories.
- Large serving size – A medium order provides over 1.5 cups of fries.
- Starch content – Potatoes are a starchy vegetable and become high in calories once fried.
The way the potatoes are prepared is the biggest influencer of the calorie content. Frying significantly increases the calories versus baking.
Compare to Other Fast Food Fries
How do Zaxby’s fries compare to other popular fast food french fries?
| Restaurant | Calories (Medium) |
|---|---|
| McDonald’s | 380 |
| Burger King | 360 |
| Wendy’s | 350 |
| Chick-fil-A | 400 |
| Zaxby’s | 520 |
Zaxby’s fries contain significantly more calories than other major fast food chains. The additional 140-170 calories adds up quickly.
Lower Calorie Options at Zaxby’s
If you want fries but are trying to make a lower calorie choice, Zaxby’s does offer these options:
- Small fry (230 calories)
- Shareable fry (360 calories)
- Sweet potato fries (400 calories)
- Zaxby’s Fanz side salad (170 calories)
Opting for one of these alternatives cuts 150-350 calories compared to the medium fry. You can also split or share a medium fry to help control portions.
Maintaining a Healthy Diet
When eating out, look up nutrition facts online and make informed choices. Be mindful of your total calorie intake for the day. Split or share high calorie menu items. Round out your meal with lower calorie sides like salads.
At Zaxby’s specifically, the fries are one of the highest calorie menu items. A medium order contains 520 calories, while a small order is a better option at just 230 calories. Knowing the calorie counts allows you to balance your meal and still enjoy the foods you want!
Some general tips for healthy eating at fast food restaurants:
- Opt for grilled chicken sandwiches instead of fried
- Choose salads with light dressing
- Stay away from large sized combos or meals
- Split fries or skip them entirely
- Drink water or unsweetened iced tea instead of soda
References
[1] Zaxby’s nutrition facts: https://www.zaxbys.com/menu/nutritional
[2] McDonald’s nutrition facts: https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/about-our-food/nutrition-calculator.html
[3] Burger King nutrition facts: https://bk.com/menu/nutrition-calculator
[4] Wendy’s nutrition facts: https://www.wendys.com/en-us/nutrition-info
[5] Chick-fil-A nutrition facts: https://www.chick-fil-a.com/menu/nutrition