The Harvard professor who made the suggestion is facing a lot of heat online.
Americans eat more French fries than any other country in the world, but a Harvard professor wants you to stop at a very specific number per serving: Six.
“There aren’t a lot of people who are sending back three-quarters of an order of French fries,” Professor Eric Rimm at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health told "The New York Times." “I think it would be nice if your meal came with a side salad and six French fries.”
Potatoes, especially those in oil, have been linked to obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Rimm said that there really is no healthy amount of French fries, but if you must have some, he suggests sticking to just six.
Dr. Mehmet Oz spoke to Inside Edition about Rimm's claims.
"Whether it is six or 12, it is a small number. Basically, single-digit fries and you should be able to count them with your fingers. When you finish up the number of fries that are represented by your fingers you should be done – if you eat them at all," he said.
Nutritionist Keri Glassman joined Inside Edition for lunch in New York City and said it's all about moderation.
"I do not think we should be demonizing the French fry. If you are living an overall healthy lifestyle and eating lots of whole real foods and exercising and managing your stress, go ahead and have 26 fries," she said.
But over on social media, Rimm is getting dragged.
TV host Padma Lakshmi tweeted a photo of fries and wrote: "I don't have time for this type of negativity in my life right now.”
"Am I really a monster? I was just suggesting!" Rimm said in response to the backlash.
Americans consume nearly 116 pounds of white potatoes every year, two-thirds of which are fried, frozen or processed in various ways, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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