Potatoes vs. Whole Wheat Bread vs. Brown Rice

TinaBean007

UGH! There's so much conflicting information about carbs, I don't know what to do! How about "If it's white or fried, run and hide"?

Yup, cauliflower is the devil, makes you insta fat

Cauliflower covered in sarcasm will get you every time.

GetNew81

Thank you. I remember hearing a researcher on NPR last year say that one shouldn't eat potatoes more than once a week in order to lose weight.

notdebby

Thanks for the responses. I began this journey on Weight Watchers two years ago. For the first year and a half, I initially lost around 90 lbs. Then I plateaued for many months. Now I've regained 10 lbs. much to my dismay and sadness.

I've been trying to figure out where I went wrong and have been wondering if avoiding these three items might help as I've heard from friends and others who have cut them out all together in order to lose weight.

So if I eat these in moderation and keep them under my caloric intake, I should be good?

Has anyone here gotten close to losing 100 lbs. (my ultimate goal) and still found it was okay for them to eat these things?

I know I mentioned in my post that I avoid wheat and brown rice but that's because of the adrenal and thyroid issues. If you don't have problems with those, I think you're probably okay having them in moderation. Can't help you with the 100 pound loss though. My goal is closer to 50 pounds. I'd like to wish you good luck in your endeavor.

conniemaxwell5

Wait, is that a joke? I thought cauliflower is good for you? Isn't that why folks use it as a substitute for mashed potatoes?

Yes, he was joking. Cauliflower is good for you. So are potatoes, brown rice and WHOLE grain wheat bread. If the ingredients say "enriched" flour, it's not as healthy as whole grain. All of these foods contain complex carbohydrates, which break down more slowly in your system, contain more fiber and keep your blood sugar more even than simple carbs.

The secret to weight loss and maintenance is calories, not specific foods. Carb laden foods contain more calories, as do high fat foods, so you can't have as much of them as you can green vegetables and things that are low carb / low fat. Log your food and stay within your calorie levels and you'll find the right balance for you of all foods.

missybct

bookyeti

If you don't have a metabolic disorder (ie. PCOS, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, etc.) or an allergy/intollerance, those things should NOT prevent weight loss.

Simply eat at a caloric deficit to your TDEE. Easy as that.

IronPlayground

Thank you. I remember hearing a researcher on NPR last year say that one shouldn't eat potatoes more than once a week in order to lose weight.

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-potatoes

twinketta

Wait, is that a joke? I thought cauliflower is good for you? Isn't that why folks use it as a substitute for mashed potatoes?

Cauliflower is fantastic for you and has a lot of micro nutrients, it is vitamin soluble so you are best to stir fry or steam or even raw. It is known to help protect against some form of cancers.

Potatoes are also a vegetable and are good for you they contain vit c and fibre and are classed as an energy food. They contain resistant starch which helps your digestive system and has a protective stance against high cholesterol and cancer.

There is no reason why you should not eat bread unless you have a wheat/gluten allergy.

There is no reason why you should not enjoy any of these foods, they are not your enemy?

Personally I do not eat rice because I don`t like the texture.

JesterMFP

Thanks for the responses. I began this journey on Weight Watchers two years ago. For the first year and a half, I initially lost around 90 lbs. Then I plateaued for many months. Now I've regained 10 lbs. much to my dismay and sadness.

I've been trying to figure out where I went wrong and have been wondering if avoiding these three items might help as I've heard from friends and others who have cut them out all together in order to lose weight.

So if I eat these in moderation and keep them under my caloric intake, I should be good?

Has anyone here gotten close to losing 100 lbs. (my ultimate goal) and still found it was okay for them to eat these things?

Well, I haven't lost 100, but a little over 85, and honestly I eat lots of carbs every day. On a pretty much daily basis, I eat brown and white bread, potatoes, white pasta and chocolate. Less often, but still regularly, I eat white rice, ice cream, biscuits (cookies), couscous and rice noodles. I never had any plateaus while I was losing and have been maintaining for nearly 6 months.

Some people are more successful cutting down on carbs, for whatever reason. It seems to me though that you lost 90 lbs without cutting these things out. They can't be the sole reason you gained 10 lbs back. You could cut them out now, and you might lose a chunk of water weight (carbs hold onto water), but it doesn't seem that you should need to cut them out.

sleepingtodream

I'd be so sad if I couldn't eat my potatoes/rice/bread and I've been successful with weightloss eating them daily. Everything in moderation!

pastryari

I know that when losing weight and keeping it off, it's best to avoid these three items. But if one has to choose, which is the best nutrition-wise to eat sparingly?

"You know" wrong. You do not need to avoid those three items to lose weight and maintain said lost weight.

The only factor to losing weight = calorie deficit.

I've been perusing the boards for some time now and keep seeing that phrase: "calorie deficit." What does that mean?

Simple explanation:
Say you have to eat 5000 calories (just an example) to maintain your weight. If you remove 500 calories from that, you'd be eating 4500 calories and would be in a caloric deficit. You'd be eating less calories than it takes to maintain your weight and would therefore lose weight.

rduhlir

I know that when losing weight and keeping it off, it's best to avoid these three items. But if one has to choose, which is the best nutrition-wise to eat sparingly?

"You know" wrong. You do not need to avoid those three items to lose weight and maintain said lost weight.

The only factor to losing weight = calorie deficit.

I've been perusing the boards for some time now and keep seeing that phrase: "calorie deficit." What does that mean?

princelukas777

I'd probably encourage you to EAT them, and NOT NOT eat them, LOL.

Carbs get a ton of bad rap, and it's totally unnecessary! As long as you're getting your adequate intake of carbs, protein, and fats (assuming they're from natural, whole sources like potatoes and whole wheat products) then I say you should be fine! Don't sweat it and eat up, my friend! =D

bacitracin

None of those things sound appetizing at all.

Lrdoflamancha

It depends... If you are diabetic a baked russet potatoes would have a glycemic value of 85. The brown rice is 55 moderate and whole wheat bread is 69. The best choice then is the brown rice. If you ate not diabetic then it doesn't matter as long as it fits in your calories.

Calorie deficit = eat less than you burn.

GetNew81

Thanks, everyone. I'm learning a lot. And still slightly confused.

momzeeee

I ate all three things while losing weight with adf (alternate day intermittent fasting) and had no problems. Since transitioning into maintenance though, I've decided to eat primal and have cut out wheat. I still eat white rice and potatoes though. My maintenance carb range is around 100-125 a day

Sarcastic_Hate

i eat Potatoes mashed everyday two times a day and i am losing one pound a day so i think its all about calories and working out

CyberEd312

I eat all 3 of those along with anything else I feel I want and have managed to lose a few pounds..... :drinker:

jeda1231

the only reason I do not eat whole wheat bread is because of a gluten allergy! I wouldn't focus on what is "good" or "bad" just balance it!!! I consumer like 250g of carbs a day - some whole grains but most fruits and veggies - and have been losing the weight/inches I have wanted!! Focus on reading the ingredients and being able to pronouce all of them!! That's usually how I decide Potatoes - I lean toward sweet potatoes for flavor

LorinaLynn

I've had all of them today. Except I had white rice instead of brown. Just not too crazy about brown rice. I have a baked potato about 3-4 times a week. Some form of bread daily. If I'm not having rice, it's because I'm having pasta or pizza.

Graelwyn75

I tend to eat potatoes, but not much rice or bread.
Potatoes are of the earth and I like that, plus they contain a lot of potassium and various other nutrients.

hilarymcm

If you're not overeating these things, you're fine! Potatoes are very nutritious as long as you're not eating them fried all the time. If you're bored with these three things, try plantains, yuca, farro, etc.

LJSmith1989

I know that when losing weight and keeping it off, it's best to avoid these three items. But if one has to choose, which is the best nutrition-wise to eat sparingly?

Lol its best to eat all of them

EvgeniZyntx

Thank you. I remember hearing a researcher on NPR last year say that one shouldn't eat potatoes more than once a week in order to lose weight.

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-potatoes

That's pretty good.