Are potatoes good or bad for you?

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Replies

  • nitepagan
    nitepagan Posts: 205 Member
    Most diets frown on potatoes because the starch is easily turned into sugar or fat. But in small quantities they are ok for you. Anything that tastes really good is generally not good for your diet.
  • MaximalLife
    MaximalLife Posts: 2,447 Member
    Are they good or bad? Mainly jacket potatoes with the skin on. I know there I fiber in ther but I'm not sure if it's something I should eat a very small portion of or not.
    I'd say they're "OK" - not super healthy but not junk food either.
    I avoid them in my diet for the most part.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Most diets frown on potatoes because the starch is easily turned into sugar or fat. But in small quantities they are ok for you. Anything that tastes really good is generally not good for your diet.

    Oh, I'd be one fat lady if that were true. I'm all about flavor.
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    The worst thing you can do with potatoes is probably deep fry them. Then you end up high in both carbs and fat, a particularly bad combination.

    Otherwise they are a natural whole food, I'd eat them in small doses.
  • bookyeti
    bookyeti Posts: 544 Member
    I eat potatoes several times a week...

    I am going to go out on a limb and say they didn't hinder my weight loss or fat loss (I used to have a whopping 56% body fat, now I have around 23%).

    The thing is, try to eat an actual potato and not the greasy potato skins, french fries, etc that are processed beyond all recognition as an actual, nutrient-rich food (although it's not going to kill you to indulge in a treat every once in a while - just fit it into your goals)

    THIS!
    I love potatoes!
  • TotalTiger
    TotalTiger Posts: 74
    I heard a dietician on TV the other day say that food is just food - neither good or bad. You have a daily calorie intake limit and if potatoes fit into it, go for it.
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    Most diets frown on potatoes because the starch is easily turned into sugar or fat. But in small quantities they are ok for you. Anything that tastes really good is generally not good for your diet.
    Please, please where do you get your info from?

    Read
    http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/the_good_the_bad_and_the_assfattening_the_new_starchy_carb_food_pyramid

    ESPECIALLY READ THE BOTTOM. White potatoes and white rice are one of best carbohydrates to consume.

    This is why people are fat (It's not due to carb intake, it's due to how the body uses insulin)
    http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/5_ways_to_improve_insulin_sensitivity
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    Potatoes are one of the healthiest carb sources out there, packed with vitamins and minerals. Eat up.
  • funkycamper
    funkycamper Posts: 998 Member
    Well, on a regular basis I don't eat them because I do need to watch my carb intake (blood sugar issues). If you don't have any metabolic problem with carbs, enjoy them as long as they fit in your calorie target. If you do have a metabolic problem with carbs, then I would suggest getting your carbs in with less-starchy vegetables and dairy.

    I do disagree a bit with the others posters here about one thing. Since fat doesn't make you fat, if you're going to eat a potato, enjoy it with all the butter and sour cream you want to make it be tasty. I only eat 1-2 potatoes a month but, when I do, it's on a spike day and I enjoy them to the hilt with all the goodies on 'em. That's how they taste good to me and I don't see any reason to eat something that doesn't taste good. Of course, you probably couldn't do that daily and stay in your calorie targets while still getting in your protein but, once in awhile, go for it. Enjoy.
  • sabinecbauer
    sabinecbauer Posts: 250 Member
    Potatoes are great, sweet potatoes are better. If you like the taste go with sweet potatoes. Similar to green-tipped bananas, they contain a type of fiber your body can't digest. This type of ballast makes your digestive system tick over really nicely ;)
  • CrochetBug65
    CrochetBug65 Posts: 34
    I have Simply Shreads frozen hashbrowns almost every day for brkfstt w/2 eggs fried (sort of steamed) in water. Deelish! I stay within my calorie goal for the day & get a real energy boast from the eggs,
  • miamime
    miamime Posts: 20
    I'm Irish, there's no way I could stop eating potatoes but the only down side with them is that I find it really hard to stop eating them once I start! :laugh:
  • Coyla
    Coyla Posts: 444 Member
    I think it is simplistic to say any FOOD is BAD. We are all individuals when it comes to the nutrition we need. Due to many factors, not every body needs the same set of micro nutrients. For example, if someone is allergic to peanuts or gluten, then that food is bad for them, but for others, they are healthy additions to a balanced diet.

    This ^

    Because I have chronically low potassium, I have to eat potatoes to keep things balanced.

    I gave up potatoes altogether for awhile there, because I assumed they were "empty calories." But the potassium, protein, and fiber is worth it if you don't have insulin problems. They also fill me up more than any other starch.
  • sweetnlow30
    sweetnlow30 Posts: 497 Member
    I have to feed a family on a budget so we eat potatoes at least three nights a week as the main starch along with meat and veggies. I usually boil or bake them with the skins on. Once a week I make a baked version of fries. I have had no problems losing weight while eating them. I always weigh my portion and add a bit of salt and marg, nothing fancy :wink:
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