Harvard professor mocked for saying a portion of fries should only contain six

Potato consumption is linked to cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes

Harvard professor claims you should only eat six fries (Stock)

A Harvard professor said it would be “nice” if an order of fries only contained six - to which people have reacted with outrage and disbelief.

Despite being one of the most delicious foods, French fries are understandably frowned upon by doctors and nutritionists - who are keen to make people aware of the health risks associated with consuming sliced, fried potatoes.

And in a recent New York Times article, Professor Eric Rimm, a nutrition professor in Harvard University’s School of Public Health, who described potatoes as “starch bombs,” suggested it would be better if people ate them in six-fry increments - as higher consumption is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Apart from heart disease, obesity and diabetes, the study referenced by the New York Times also found people who ate fries didn’t live as long as people who didn't indulge.

Currently, Americans are consuming potatoes more than any other vegetable, with two-thirds in the form of French fries, chips, or other processed potatoes, according to the Agriculture Department.

The ever-increasing portions of food are also the problem - with an order of French fries now averaging just under seven ounces, according to Beth Fontenot, MS, RD, LDN.

According to Dr Rimm, portion control could help.

“There aren’t a lot of people who are sending back three-quarters of an order of French fries,” he said in the article, which describes the country’s voracious appetite for potatoes, especially fried ones, and the health risks associated. “I think it would be nice if your meal came with a side salad and six French fries.”

The advice, if realistic, would be beneficial - but on social media, Dr Rimm’s suggestion was jokingly ridiculed.

“Who is this hostile alien they are interviewing?” one person asked.

Another said: “What kind of MAD MAN would want six French fries? I get it, they are bad for you, but eating SIX sounds like torture. I’d rather not have them at all. But we all know that’s not going to happen.”

If you are going to exercise control when it comes to French fries, Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, a registered dietician in New York City, told The Independent that you should avoid “french fries that are doused in toppings like gravies, cheese, aiolis or heavy, salty seasoning” in favour of baked fries, and “as a rule of thumb, regardless of the type of potato, ask for the fries without salt and if you wish, salt them yourself at the table."

She advises pouring the salt in your hand "before sprinkling them onto your fries to prevent oversaturating your meal with salt."

And while Beckerman “generally recommends consuming fried foods as seldom as possible,” if you do eat the fries, “Try extra hard at your next meal to eat an arrangement of anti-inflammatory foods like lean proteins, cruciferous vegetables and beans.”