Nutrition In A Fried Fish Sandwich & Chips

A fish sandwich with a side of chips is a popular fast food or restaurant meal, but it may not be a nutritious choice. While fish can be a nutritious part of your diet, when it is fried and served with chips, it is no longer as nutritionally valuable. Educate yourself about the benefits and drawbacks to this meal, and you may be more likely to make healthier selections in the future.

Fat

Fish itself is low in fat, but when it is deep-fried, this adds a significant amount of fat -- including unhealthy saturated fat. If you regularly eat fried fish sandwiches, you may be consuming too much saturated fat, which raises your risk of obesity, heart disease and other chronic conditions. A fried fish sandwich contains 22.77 g of total fat, 5.23 g of which are saturated. Chips can mean potato chips or french fries, both of which add even more fat to your meal. A 1-oz. serving of potato chips adds 10.32 g of total fat, with 1.13 g of saturated fat. A serving of french fries adds 30.22 g of fat, with 5.5 g of saturated fat.

Protein

Even fried, a fish sandwich is a good source of protein. Frying your fish retains most of the protein, a nutrient that supports energy production. A fish sandwich supplies you with 16.94 g of protein. A 1-oz. serving of potato chips contains 1.86 g of protein, and a serving of french fries adds 7.59 g to your meal.

Sodium

A fried fish sandwich with chips contains a large amount of sodium. Restrict your intake of sodium to 2,300 mg or less each day, as too much may raise your blood pressure and risk of heart disease. A fried fish sandwich contains 615 mg of sodium. A serving of potato chips has 149 mg of sodium, and a serving of french fries contains 653 mg of sodium.

Iron

A fish sandwich provides a hefty dose of iron, supplying 2.61 mg toward the 8 to 18 mg you require each day. Iron promotes the healthy formation of red blood cells, which ensure that oxygen reaches all parts of your body. A serving of french fries adds 2 mg of iron to your meal, and a serving of potato chips adds 0.46 mg.

Additional Nutrients

You will also get 340 mg of potassium, 212 mg of phosphorus, 1 mg of zinc and 109 IU of vitamin A from your fried fish sandwich. A serving of potato chips contains 466 mg of potassium and trace amounts of B vitamins. If you order french fries with your sandwich, you will also get 1,269 mg of potassium, as well as a small dose of fiber.