Cornell University researchers analyzed 193 actual last meal requests from death row inmates between 2002 and 2006, and the results are striking. Their study shows how comfort food, brand loyalty, and everyday favorites guided choices when faced with a final dinner. Fried foods and soda stood out, while salads and simple desserts appeared more often than expected. Calorie counts were high but not outrageous, suggesting the meals were about personal comfort rather than extravagance. The findings reveal how memory, habit, and familiarity can shape food decisions even in the most extraordinary circumstances.
Over Two-Thirds Ordered Fried Foods
Fried foods dominated the requests, with French fries leading the charge. Many added fried chicken, onion rings, or hush puppies to round out the plate. Researchers point to comfort and familiarity as likely reasons. Fried food is linked to childhood favorites, late-night snacks, and simple pleasures that feel grounding when faced with something as serious as a final meal. The aroma, texture, and immediate satisfaction of crispy food may explain why so many gravitated to it over more elaborate options.
Five Times More Requests for Soda Than Milk
Soda beat milk by a wide margin. Classic soft drinks like cola and root beer were common, often alongside sweet endings like brownies or cookies. Some researchers believe that familiar brand names bring comfort and memories of everyday life, offering a small sense of normalcy in a situation far from normal. The bubbles and sweetness might also create a feeling of celebration or closure, turning the meal into more than just food.
The Average Calorie Count was Just Over 2,750 Per Meal
While a few meals topped 7,000 calories, most landed around 2,700. That number is close to a typical daily intake and shows that many requests were big but not outrageous. Some inmates piled their trays with multiple sides, desserts, and extra drinks, while others kept it to a single main dish. The calorie count reveals that these choices were about personal comfort and taste rather than creating an over-the-top feast.
Comfort Foods Were a Popular Choice
Plates loaded with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, biscuits, and gravy showed up again and again. These are the foods that often remind people of family dinners and childhood weekends. The pull of nostalgia is powerful, and many seemed to reach for meals that recalled better times. Choosing something familiar and tied to personal history created a sense of peace and connection in an otherwise harsh setting.
More Than One-Third Requested Chicken
Chicken outpaced other meats and appeared in many forms: fried pieces, roasted cuts, or breaded nuggets. As one of the most common proteins in American homes, it makes sense that it would feel comforting and easy to imagine. Chicken’s adaptability meant it could be matched with favorite sides like biscuits, potatoes, or green beans, turning the last meal into something that looked and felt like a favorite Sunday dinner.
Almost 25% Asked for a Hamburger
Burgers remained a strong favorite, showing up in about one in four requests. They were usually paired with cheese, pickles, and of course a pile of fries. The appeal is obvious. A burger is hearty and instantly recognizable, something that feels both everyday and celebratory. For many, that familiar sandwich might have represented the flavor of ordinary life—something simple but deeply satisfying when there is only one meal left.
More Than 20% Asked for Steak
Steak held its own as a top choice, with cuts like ribeye and filet mignon mentioned most often. A well-cooked steak carries a sense of occasion and abundance that few other foods can match. Many paired it with classic sides such as baked potatoes, dinner rolls, or creamed spinach. This pick suggests that some inmates wanted their final plate to feel like a once-in-a-lifetime dinner, both rich and memorable.
Less Than 5% Requested Fast Food Chain Meals
Despite the American love for drive-thru favorites, only a small slice of inmates chose branded fast food as their entire last meal. When it did happen, McDonald’s, KFC, and Wendy’s were the most common picks. This pattern shows that while people love the convenience of fast food, most wanted a final meal that felt more personal or carefully prepared, even when the components like burgers or fried chicken were similar.
Requests Are Not Typically Elaborate or High End
Many orders were surprisingly simple. Instead of gourmet dishes or expensive ice cream brands, inmates asked for plain vanilla or chocolate, basic fried sides, or straightforward entrees. Researchers suggest this could reflect economic background, where everyday foods hold stronger emotional ties than luxury items. The simplicity might also be practical, making the meal easier to prepare quickly and without special sourcing.
One Quarter Asked for a Salad as Part of Their Meal
Salad showed up far more than most people expect. Some meals featured a full garden salad while others included a small side to balance heavier dishes. Reasons could range from habit to personal taste. For some, a salad may have been a familiar way to start a meal, while others might have craved something fresh to round out rich foods like fried chicken or steak.
Brand Name Requests Were Common
Specific brands popped up repeatedly, from Coca-Cola to particular ice cream labels. Researchers believe brand loyalty can act as comfort, bringing a recognizable taste into an unfamiliar and stressful situation. It also highlights how powerful brand identity can be. Even in a moment this final, people often wanted the exact flavors they grew up with rather than generic substitutes.
10 Controversial Food Ingredients Used In America That Are Banned Globally
Around the globe, countries take varied approaches to food safety, setting their own rules on which ingredients and production methods are deemed acceptable. What’s routine in the U.S. food industry often faces stricter scrutiny abroad. With the U.S. grappling with high rates of chronic illnesses and food-related disorders, it begs the question: could certain widely-used, yet overseas-banned, additives be contributing to America’s public health challenges?
In the States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) oversee food safety, adopting a “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) stance. This means additives are presumed safe based on expert consensus or historical use, rather than extensive new testing. In contrast, regulatory bodies in places like the European Union demand rigorous safety demonstrations before any new food additive graces supermarket shelves. This fundamental difference in regulatory philosophy may explain why some products available in the U.S. are forbidden elsewhere.
Read it Here: 10 Controversial Food Ingredients Used In America That Are Banned Globally
9 Ways American Fast Food Culture Is Ruining The World
America’s fast food culture has not only reshaped the culinary landscape at home but has rippled across the globe with substantial effects. As burgers and fries become commonplace from Tokyo to Istanbul, they bring with them not just a taste of American life, but a host of changes to diet, health, and local economies. This article examines the wide-reaching impact of these fast food chains, exploring how they influence everything from our eating habits to our planet.
Read it Here: 9 Ways American Fast Food Culture Is Ruining The World
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Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
