We’ve all been hit with the classic “what would you choose for your last meal?” scenario, but Cornell University researchers took it a step further. They studied 193 actual last meal requests from death row inmates between 2002 and 2006. The findings are eye-opening, and some of the choices are far from what you’d imagine for a final feast. It’s not all steak and lobster—what these inmates chose might surprise you.

A person's meal tray with a plate containing rice, green peas, and breaded chicken nuggets. The tray also includes an apple, a bread roll, a bowl of salad, and a small cup of sauce.
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Over Two-Thirds Ordered Fried Foods

A variety of fast food items on a wooden table.
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With its addicting qualities and the source of much of the obesity epidemic in the United States, it’s not hard to understand why someone would opt for a large serving of French fries for their last meal.

Five Times More Requests for Soda Than Milk

Pouring orange drink into a glass with ice cubes alongside other colorful cold beverages on a wooden table, reminiscent of the last meals of death-row convicts.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

To be honest, we’re surprised anyone would bother with milk over soda but maybe it would wash down some brownies or cookies for dessert, which was another popular request among inmates.

The Average Calorie Count was Just Over 2,750 Per Meal

A burger with sesame seed bun served with fries and sauce on a metal tray.
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Some requests exceeded 7,000 calories but the average came out around 2,700 calories and with the FDA’s daily recommended intake of 2,000 calories, it’s really not that far off considering it’s a last meal request.

Comfort Foods Were a Popular Choice

A plate of macaroni and cheese on a green plate.
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We can see this being the case as there’s probably an element of nostalgia in most of these requests.

More Than One-Third Requested Chicken

Grilled chicken breasts with lemon slices and herbs on a plate.
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The split in meats was pretty even but chicken won out in the end. As the most popular meat eaten in the US and one that’s easily made into many comfort dishes, this makes sense.

Almost 25% Asked for a Hamburger

A cheeseburger with bacon on a wooden surface against a dark background.
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What goes better with those French fries than a greasy burger?

More Than 20% Asked for Steak

Air fryer skirt steak sliced on a cutting board.
Air Fryer Skirt Steak. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

We hope it was a good cut like a juicy ribeye or a tender filet mignon.

Less Than 5% Requested Fast Food Chain Meals

Two hamburgers and fries on a tray.
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McDonald’s, KFC and Wendy’s were apparently the popular choices among those who wanted their last meals from fast food restuarants.

Requests Are Not Typically Elaborate or High End

A scoop of chocolate ice cream with a black spatula.
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Researchers speculated that the plain nature of the requests such as chocolate or vanilla ice cream vs. elaborate flavors from expensive brands might be a reflection of the socio-economic status of many of the inmates.

One Quarter Asked for a Salad as Part of Their Meal

Fresh caesar salad with croutons and shaved cheese on a white plate.
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This one baffles us. A salad? Really? We like our greens as much as the next person but as our last meal? Strange.

Brand Name Requests Were Common

A row of coca cola bottles lined up on a shelf.
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Specific brands like Coca-Cola were often requested as part of the meals. Researchers hypothesize this may be a coping mechanism to deal with the stress of the situation by surrounding themselves with something familiar. Or, they could just really hate the taste of Pepsi.

10 Controversial Food Ingredients Used In America That Are Banned Globally

A bowl of colorful cereal with labels showing food additive codes.
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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

A burger king sign on the side of a building.
Photo credit: Depositphotos.

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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Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

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.

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