FAST FOOD  FRIES

McDonald’s is awfully proud of its fries. So  proud, in fact, that the  chain bought the rights to be the exclusive fry  purveyor at the Olympic  Games in London. And perhaps it should be proud - the  spuds taste great  and they have fewer calories than any other fast food  chain’s. Five Guys is also proud of its fries, but that pride manifests itself  in  elephantine portions that threaten to tip your table and will most  certainly tip your bathroom scale. Make your choice accordingly.

LOADED  FRIES

Let’s be frank: topping fries with cheese,  ranch, bacon, gravy, sour  cream, or any similar high-fat accoutrement is the  kind of innovation  that turns skinny people chubby. But if you have a hankering  you can’t  control, just remember to keep the portion in check. Fortunately  Steak 'n Shake gives you that option: Order the chain’s small over the loaded  fries at Chili’s and you’ll eliminate 1,790 calories.

STEAK  FRIES

Wedges tend to be a smarter option: You pack  more soft potato inside  each greasy exterior, which ultimately leads to fewer  calories for the  same amount of food. But that doesn’t mean you don’t still  have to  consider portion size. Opt for KFC’s over TGI’s and you’ll cut the  calories by more than half.

SWEET POTATO  FRIES

Think you’re saving yourself calories by  opting for sweet potatoes over  standard spuds? Think again.

A side of The Cheesecake Factory’s fries  will run you 400 calories more than their regular fries and stick  you with  nearly 50 percent more carbohydrates than a can of Pringles.

Switch to Burger King’s fries and you’ll cut  more than two-thirds of the calories.

CURLY  FRIES

Its menu once clotted with trans fats, Jack  in the Box has made a  concerted effort in recent years to cut down on dangerous  oils. What  remains is a dramatically improved side dish lineup, including your  best option for a novelty fry. Arby’s, on the other hand, seasons every  order  with more than half a teaspoon of salt.