Potatoes - Good Or Bad For Weight Loss?

fdlafon

I enjoy potatoes tremendously. I agree that I refuse to not eat my favorite foods. What I do is repare them in a healthier fashion.
I have found that I really do enjoy red potatoes.Some spray butter, and seasoning - baked to perfection!

If you want some potatoes, eat them. Just remember portion control!

RUNNER48WH

YESSSSS!!!! Old bay and baby red potatoes sliced or quartered with olive oil....to die for!!

agreed!!

DeanneLea

Since potatoes contain a lot of carbs, they will make you feel full quickly but hungry really fast again. They spike your insulin level in your blood. That means you store fat instead of burning it, even if you work out. This spike in insulin level will make you feel hungry again faster. To avoid this and to keep burning fat through out the day it\s good to eat food with a low glycemic index.
Thats why for example why choosing sweet potatoes over regular is a good thing to do.

Sometimes the taste of your favorite food trumps the full factor and can keep you on track long term. I've never had an issue feeling full with potatoes or being hungry quickly though.

BaconMD

Frying ANYTHING makes it unhealthy.

At least 80% of the food I cook myself is pan-fried, be it fish, chicken, eggs, vegetables, rice, potatoes... What is it that makes all of this unhealthy, exactly? I have been losing weight with no issues, and I feel better than I have in years.

malins2

I am not saying people should not eat potatoes, BUT for weight loss there are definitely better foods to eat. I too eat things I enjoy even if they are not the best choice, but the question was whether potatoes are good or bad for weight loss, and I would say they are bad.

malins2

Frying ANYTHING makes it unhealthy.

At least 80% of the food I cook myself is pan-fried, be it fish, chicken, eggs, vegetables, rice, potatoes... What is it that makes all of this unhealthy, exactly? I have been losing weight with no issues, and I feel better than I have in years.

I haven't looked at your food diary, but I'd say there is no need to be afraid of frying food and eating fat as long we control our carb intake.

tsh0ck

Frying ANYTHING makes it unhealthy.

I think you meant to say frying anything makes it taste better.

(and, once more, nothing eaten in moderation is unhealthy. make it fit and you've got no worries. I promise.)

monstergirl14

People often get confused. Potatoes have a lot of carbs, therefore, if you would like to eat one, then eat it in moderation. What people don't understand is that everyone can be done in moderation, and as long as you're under your goal, then you will lose weight. MFP has your carb goal stats already there, and if you judge the potatoes you make based on the carbs, then eat as much as you're allowed or whatever room you have left for the day.
My personal favorite for potatoes is little red ones chopped in half, mixed with asparagus in a baking pan, a little olive oil and italian seasoning. bake on 400 for around 20 minutes and you got yourself a delicious meal.

Awkward30

I think there was a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine last year that linked potatoes with weight gain.

No, they found an association between people eating potatoes and weighing more. This, however, is flawed because a lot of people with a high intake of 'potatoes' are fat because they are eating french fries.

IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros), eat it. Always!

70davis

bump

JessWolf1002

My husband bikes 30 miles a day and he eats potatoes a lot because they have double the amount of potassium than bananas and help with his cramping. Baked potatoes arent bad for you as long as you only use a small amount of butter or light sour cream maybe. At least they are better than fries or tots!

Whats wrong with butter? :-(

Nothing wrong with butter... It's just not something you would want to eat a lot of while trying to lose weight I love me some butter!!

lukeout007

Frying ANYTHING makes it unhealthy.

At least 80% of the food I cook myself is pan-fried, be it fish, chicken, eggs, vegetables, rice, potatoes... What is it that makes all of this unhealthy, exactly? I have been losing weight with no issues, and I feel better than I have in years.

Frying doesn't make things unhealthy...frying in insane amounts of oil makes things unhealthy. You can still throw some meat in a pan with a small amount of olive oil (or spray like I do) and fry it...maybe that would be "sauteeing" but it's really the same thing with less oil.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

Depends, do you like potatoes? I like potatoes, so I think they're great for my weight loss when they fit into my caloric and macro goals.

doubglass

There is a great variety in potatoes. Generally the smaller the varieties are better for you. Don't smother them with sour cream and butter and don't eat them as chips or fries. Look for the smaller potatoes, less starch, more nutrients, more fiber.