I want to start adding potatoes to my daily menu as they are loaded with nutrients and help in lowering blood pressure as they are loaded with potassium.
But I read that some people say there bad as they raise your blood sugar fast. And are bad if trying to lose weight.
And I also read they are finding out they are better for you as they do more studies on them.
Was wondering does anyone here eat them daily or every 2 days and still lose weight.
I read tons of diet books and, I swear, the thing they most differ on is potatoes. Some swear by them (the DASH diet is a particular fan) and others swear at them.
I eat potatoes. They are a starch that doesn't trigger cravings for other starches, for me. So, they are often a better choice than whole wheat bread in that regard. As you said, they provide micronutrients that I sometimes find it hard to get otherwise. They are low in calories and fat (if you're careful what you put on top). I always eat them with protein which will slow down that blood sugar response.
Since I eat mostly local, and potatoes store well, I will go through periods of eating potatoes once or twice a day and I lost weight while doing that.
You could eat nothing but candy and still lose weight, as long as you stay within your calorie budget. I find potatoes filling, and a big-ish one with light butter is usually around 300 calories. It's even better if you eat the skin, because then the fiber fills you right up.
I stopped listening to magazine or diet books about what are good foods or bad ones- generally, they're only describing a fad. I judge a food by it's nutritional content and how it makes me feel (especially in terms of fullness and satisfaction).
Well, I will swim against the stream here and say that I don't touch potatoes anymore. They have tons of starch in them, and that starch converts to sugar in the bloodstream really fast...I can say that with authority because I check my blood sugar very regularly (up to six times a day) and I can tell you what raises mine more than anything is potatoes. I can't even have a little bit without it going through the roof. Wheat, even whole wheat does the same thing. I realize for many, calories are all that matters, but for those with metabolic issues, its so much more than 'just calories'. As for the nutrients in potatoes, there are other sources for them. I will use a potassium salt substitute if I am in need of potassium, and save a lot of calories and carb grams. So it really depends on you, and your unique metabolism. Wish I could eat them, but I can't...
Even though carbs even the healthier ones are problem/trigger foods for me, I still do not call potatoes "bad." Potatoes, fruit, whole grains... none of them are "bad" even though I don't eat them often. Even cheesecake I don't label "bad." Even sugar in small amounts, I don't consider "bad."
I think it's important to stop asking is x food "bad or good," because the answer is ALWAYS "it depends - what are your nutrition goals, how do you react to these foods, what else are you eating or not eating..."
It depends.
I follow a low- to moderate-carb exchange plan most of the time. I only get a couple "starch" exchanges, but I'd rather spend them on potato than gluten-free bread (I have a wheat sensitivity of some kind). The potato has more fiber, it tastes better to me, and it's far cheaper and keeps longer than gluten-free bread.
That doesn't make gluten-free bread bad. That I only have 2 to a max of 4 servings of bread/starch and 3 to 4 servings of fruit doesn't mean either are bad.
Only you can determine whether potatoes are a problem food for you. They're enough of a problem for me that I can't keep more than a few servings in the house (I've been known to binge on microwave-baked potatoes). Pairing the potato with protein and fat (so that the protein/fat calories outnumber the carb calories) reduced the carb-hunger issues I have.
There's only one way to find out if potatoes are something you can eat frequently or something you have to eat sparingly - and that is to experiment.
I make super lowfat/low cal chilli and Curry (I make one batch and freeze 8 or 9 portions as the kids think its too spicy and my OH wont eat food with sauce on or in it). I am hoping as the winter months come in handy as lunch with a Baked potato to keep me warm! From what I have read there is nothing wrong with potatoes, but just try and limit them to breakfast or Lunch as they can be too heavy in an evening meal, so I try to stick to that.
I'm on the DASH diet to lower my blood pressure and eat steamed potatoes a couple times a week. I've lost 35 pounds in the last 4 months. I always have a hard time accepting that any fruit or vegetable is bad. Moderation is always good and no loading it up with butter and sour cream.
I have type 2 diabetes and I check my blood sugar frequently. A baked potato as a part of a balanced meal does not raise my blood sugar. Bread, rice, and noodles make me spike.
I think they have a lot of fiber and nutrients. Everything in moderation
I hope white and sweet potatoes are bad for me I just found out I am gluten free and plan to eat some potatoes instead of whole wheat. I like a smallish potato with a veggie or veggie chili on top.
I think potatoes are a great food as part of a healthful eating plan. Although I have switched mostly to light sweet potatoes or dark yams because they have more nutrients and I have actually learned to like them even better!! The bad reputation potatoes have gotten is more because people pile them full of butter, sour cream, etc.
Potatoes are a VEGETABLE as well as a starch. As long as you don't eat too much or prepare it in calorie loaded way then it's a very necessary vegetable in your pantry. There is not such thing as a BAD food, only foods that you abuse are bad for you.
Potatoes GOOD OR BAD!!!!!!
