From pizzas to burgers: What death row inmates in the U.S. choose for their final meal
A Cornell University study concluded that death row inmates overwhelmingly choose comfort food for their last meal.
In several U.S. prisons, death row inmates are granted the option to select their final meal, with most opting for high-calorie comfort foods before their sentences are carried out.
A study published in Appetite—an international research journal covering the psychological and physiological processes behind food choice and consumption—revealed three key takeaways regarding these requests.
According to the research, the average final meal for a death row inmate is heavy on calories, containing roughly 2.5 times the daily recommended intake of protein and fat. The most frequent requests were similarly calorie-dense, led by meat (83.9%), fried foods (67.9%), desserts (66.3%), and sodas (60.0%). Additionally, 39.9% of inmates specifically requested name-brand food or drinks.
The most popular last meal requests
The Cornell University study concluded that death row inmates overwhelmingly choose comfort food as their last wish. Researchers analyzed 193 final meal requests across the United States, finding that French fries, soda, ice cream, burgers, chicken, steak, and pie topped the list.
More than two-thirds of inmates requested fried foods—primarily French fries—along with a dessert. Comfort food remained the dominant choice across the board, with over a third ordering chicken, followed by burgers and steak. Some inmates even opted for fast-food takeout from major chains like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, or KFC.
Why do death row inmates choose these meals?
Brian Wansink, one of the study’s lead researchers, noted that the popularity of comfort foods and well-known brand-name products, like Coca-Cola, likely reflects an effort to cope with extreme stress by seeking out familiar foods.
The study analyzed inmates’ requests rather than what they actually consumed. In practice, final meal policies vary widely by jurisdiction: several states ban special meal requests altogether, while others impose strict budget limits. Alcohol, however, is universally prohibited across all states.
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