Potatoes = Good Or Bad???

autumnk921

I haven't had potatoes in quite a while until the other day & now have been eating one every couple of days with veggies on top...I have heard that you are NOT supposed to eat potatoes b/c they are full of starch but was wondering what everyone on here thinks about eating potatoes...Good Or Bad??

grapeeyes1

I don't think potatoes are bad unless you eat too many.

Here is some info:

Potatoes contain more potassium than any other fresh vegetable in the produce department - even more than bananas. One potato has almost 900 milligrams, which is about 20 percent of what you need every day. Potassium is important for body growth and cell maintenance. It's also necessary for nervous function and for normal muscle contraction - including the heart muscle. Potassium is also an electrolyte that helps to balance the fluids in your body, which is important for healthy blood pressure.

Potatoes also contain substantial amounts of vitamins C and B6, which are vital for blood clotting, wound healing, a strong immune system, normal nervous system function and for converting the food you eat to energy. There's also a substance called kukoamine found in potatoes that may help to lower blood pressure, although more research is necessary to know for sure.

kettle_belle83

I also try not to eat potatoes because of all the starch. If I'm going to eat one I eat a sweet potato. They're much more nutrient dense.

carld256

There's a guy who ate nothing but potatoes for 60 days. He lost weight, and all his blood work improved. There's nothing wrong with potatoes.

http://20potatoesaday.com/

HelloSweetie4

I will never give up potatoes, that is the one food I love too much. Nothing beats a scoop of mashed potatoes with a bit of butter on top!

invisibubble

There's nothing wrong with potatoes or starch.

runnercheryl

Potatoes? Oh so good. Nomnomnom.

amyy010

it depends how you make them, boiled with either none or a small amount of butter is fine, but fried/deep fried is a no no.

chips/crisps are the same, sunflower oil is the best to get them in

chips/fries are best oven cooked than deep fried with vegetable oil.

(im just guessin, i mean im 18 i have no idea haha, i think that im right :P)

valerierackly74

i don't think any foods are bad, you just have to watch how big your portions are and how often you eat them. also don't go adding too much fatty toppings to them. watch the calories.

a potato the size of your fist is a portion.
and as long as you add them into your daily calorie allowance i don't think you should not eat them.
eat them as part of your healthy diet and include them in your lifestyle.
Thats what i think anyway.

ki4yxo

I like a baked potato. Eat the skin, and it will help
keep the triglycerides down. I usually eat most of
the potato out of the skin, then roll the skin up and
eat it like a little burrito!

AZKristi

Unless you have a medical condition that dictates the avoidance of starch, there is no reason why you can't eat potatoes. But you should be aware that they have a high glycemic index so I wouldn't recommend eating them every day.

sjtreely

Potatoes are pretty much THEE most perfect food in the world.

Couldn't, wouldn't, shouldn't live without them.

tehzephyrsong

Can you fit a serving of potatoes into your daily calorie/macronutrient budget? Then they're good.

Personally, potatoes are too delicious for me to ever give them up entirely, although I think I'm going to have to (1) limit them and (2) stick to baked or mashed as much as possible now, because I have this problem where if there are potatoes within reach of me, I will eat them. All of them. Even if they don't taste good. Cold, soggy leftover fries? Give them to me. Gross pickle or sea salt+vinegar flavored potato chips? Put them in my mouth. It's a real problem.

gradgal01

Last year, I was researching the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, aka food stamps. They're essentially beta testing a "healthy food" program out in Massachusetts, in which beneficiaries can only use the vouchers to buy things like whole grains, produce, protein-rich foods -- "healthy foods." Guess what isn't covered by the vouchers? White potatoes.

That's when I finally decided to give them up, haha.

HeidiHoMom

I agree with everyone else.

Potatoes are actually very healthy, it's how you might cook them that makes them unhealthy.

We eat potatoes once a week at least. I bake them, roast them like oven fries (yum!) or boil them.

Sweet potatoes are wonderful as well.

ryn013

Sweet potatoes > normal potatoes.
Enough said.

Lleldiranne

A small or medium potato every couple of days won't ruin your weight loss or cause you to pack on extra pounds. What you put on top probably makes more difference - smothering it in butter and sour cream will pack in the calories, while veggies on top makes it pretty good (I like broccoli, real bacon bits, and a bit of sour cream). Just account for everything in your food log, maybe get rid of one other starchy serving (lice rice, pasta, or bread) on a day you eat a potato. Oh, and eat the skins - that's where most of the nutrients are found, I understand.

JCDF

Although potatoes have some good nutrition, like potassium, etc., I feel I am better off not eating potatoes. They are very high glycemic, and they are inflammatory. Those two things can play havoc with ones body over time.

Sweet potatoes are a much, much better choice.

sjtreely

Last year, I was researching the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, aka food stamps. They're essentially beta testing a "healthy food" program out in Massachusetts, in which beneficiaries can only use the vouchers to buy things like whole grains, produce, protein-rich foods -- "healthy foods." Guess what isn't covered by the vouchers? White potatoes.

That's when I finally decided to give them up, haha.

And our Congress, in its infinite wisdom, now counts pizza a vegetable.

Moderation.

Please pass the potatoes.

Lleldiranne

Last year, I was researching the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, aka food stamps. They're essentially beta testing a "healthy food" program out in Massachusetts, in which beneficiaries can only use the vouchers to buy things like whole grains, produce, protein-rich foods -- "healthy foods." Guess what isn't covered by the vouchers? White potatoes.

That's when I finally decided to give them up, haha.

Sounds something like the WIC program here - nutrition assistance for low income pregnant & breastfeeding women, babies, and young children. They provide fresh vegetables, but not white potatoes. However, they also provide regular peanut butter, but not the healthier (by most people's opinion, at least) natural peanut butter.
I think part of it is potatoes are more accurately classified as a starch, and they want you to get veggies. Plus, they aren't completely infallible. They make one get the store-name breakfast cereals, despite the fact that some of them don't have the same nutritional content as name brand, too.

Linda_Darlene

I do limit simple carbs and starchy foods but there is not much I won't eat. As long as I am in control and have decided for myself how much I am going to eat of it!

minkakross

The potato is the bane of most diabetics but for people who do not fear blood sugar spikes or who are good at balancing their meals they are a perfect food. Very versatile and a great main or side.

wackyfunster

Potatoes are fine. They have a low caloric density, and reasonably high nutrients-per-calorie. They are also delicious. If you smother them in butter, they will probably not be healthy, but that is not the fault of the potato!

svdreamer

I get the baby potatoes and eat one,oven roasted with a drizle of olive oil and mediterranean spices once and a while. As long as it is in moderations, it's not bad.

ki4yxo

Last year, I was researching the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, aka food stamps. They're essentially beta testing a "healthy food" program out in Massachusetts, in which beneficiaries can only use the vouchers to buy things like whole grains, produce, protein-rich foods -- "healthy foods." Guess what isn't covered by the vouchers? White potatoes.

That's when I finally decided to give them up, haha.

And our Congress, in its infinite wisdom, now counts pizza a vegetable.

Moderation.

Please pass the potatoes.

Ding! Fries are done.....



I cook them in the pressure cooker. It's fast, easy,
and seals all the nutrients inside. They're on my
healthy list if I ever find myself at a fast food joint.
Baked potato plain, and a small chili. Maybe twice
a month???

plyosteph

Potatoes are fine. They have a low caloric density, and reasonably high nutrients-per-calorie. They are also delicious. If you smother them in butter, they will probably not be healthy, but that is not the fault of the potato!

MMMMMMMMmmmmmm. Potatoes tonight it is!

taem

I do limit simple carbs and starchy foods but there is not much I won't eat. As long as I am in control and have decided for myself how much I am going to eat of it!

Sorry, potatoes are not simple carbs. Fruits are simple carbs because they are simple sugars. Starchy foods are complex sugars. Please watch Dr. McDougall's lecture on starch.

galilanee26

Potatoes are fine for most people. It depends on how they are prepared and whether or not they trigger a craving for starches. I'm very careful with them for this reason.

LorinaLynn

I come from a long history of potato lovers. My great grandfather came to American because of a bad potato situation in his native land.

taem

The potato is the bane of most diabetics but for people who do not fear blood sugar spikes or who are good at balancing their meals they are a perfect food. Very versatile and a great main or side.

I was a type two diabetic, and I eat potatoes all the time (starchy foods actually). Please, stop the myth. I know diabetic counsellors say that rice and potatoes turn to sugar and then it will help you gain weight and raise your blood sugar and this is why 2 billion rural Chinese are so laden with chronic disease like type two diabetes.

Fat, is the bane of most diabetics. Yes, potatoes have a high GI, so what? how else are you supposed to get your energy from? Did you know candy bars have a lower GI than potatoes? Why not eat that instead then? Foods from mother nature (not GMO) is our best fight against becoming overweight, potatoes included.

Here is a brief summary on potatoes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PgBL8f87FE
Here is a lecture on starches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XVf36nwraw&feature=relmfu

yuliyax

Most people think potatoes are evil because they are high carb food.