Pasta or Potato?

tumsbums
tumsbums Posts: 32 Member
edited October 2014 in Food and Nutrition
hello! I'm currently on a mission to try and eat healthier, I was planning on making dinner and It brought up a ( slightly silly sorry :( ) question.

I basically have whole wheat pasta or boiled potatoes, and I know that it would mostly depend on what I put on them to determine if it was a healthy meal or not... but if I where to have the same thing on each, which would be the healthier option?
I guess I'm wondering because potatoes are more natural, and pasta is sort of man made? haha I'm really not sure if I should avoid pasta and have potatoes because of this.. I would love to hear if anyone had an opinion on this?

Replies

  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    Well, in terms of nutritional content, I believe potatoes have the leg up for being packed with potassium. But it is hard to say which is "healthier" for you because it requires the full context of your diet.
  • Tiamo719
    Tiamo719 Posts: 256 Member
    Mashed potatoes, mmmm. I would think potatoes are a healthier choice, lots of vitamin C, there is also more iron and calcium and less carbs.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    wheird wrote: »
    Well, in terms of nutritional content, I believe potatoes have the leg up for being packed with potassium. But it is hard to say which is "healthier" for you because it requires the full context of your diet.

    pretty much this...both have their own merits but spuds are surprisingly high in potassium which is something that many people don't get enough of (helps your body rid itself of excess sodium)

  • btc1987
    btc1987 Posts: 94 Member
    Both are good choices as long as you pay attention to serving size. Most potatoes you buy in the store are actually the weight of 2-3 potatoes in the MFP diary. Make sure you record accurately.
  • grandmothercharlie
    grandmothercharlie Posts: 1,356 Member
    I'll go along with the potatoes. If you boil them you may lose some nutrients, but you also lose some starch and calories. If you then mash them, you add diary. Of course, a baked potato is so good. Potatoes are also high in Vitamin C and B6. But don't always think white potatoes. Sweet potatoes are even better for you and are the highest source of potassium there is! You can do everything with sweet potatoes that you do with white potatoes. Yum.
  • mangogirl272727
    mangogirl272727 Posts: 95 Member
    Potatoes are less processed and, if you leave the skin on, full of nutrients. Nothing wrong with the whole wheat pasta to mix things up though.
  • socalkay
    socalkay Posts: 746 Member
    I like both and anything in moderation is OK in my book. I'm trying to stick to new potatoes now because they release less glucose into your bloodstream than big potatoes.
  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,059 Member
    The grad student in me likes the pasta.
    The Irish heritage in me likes the potato.
    Either are good options!
  • perseverance14
    perseverance14 Posts: 1,364 Member
    tumsbums wrote: »
    hello! I'm currently on a mission to try and eat healthier, I was planning on making dinner and It brought up a ( slightly silly sorry :( ) question.

    I basically have whole wheat pasta or boiled potatoes, and I know that it would mostly depend on what I put on them to determine if it was a healthy meal or not... but if I where to have the same thing on each, which would be the healthier option?
    I guess I'm wondering because potatoes are more natural, and pasta is sort of man made? haha I'm really not sure if I should avoid pasta and have potatoes because of this.. I would love to hear if anyone had an opinion on this?
    Potatoes, if I eat pasta, but the high fiber lower carb pasta is also good.

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