potato

becky23
becky23 Posts: 60
edited September 20 in Food and Nutrition
So what's the deal with potatoes? How can a starch be good for me, and only 100 calories? I've always steered away from them, cuz I never believed something so big and yummy could be so good for you?!

Replies

  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    Since when does the size of a food dictate its healthfulness?

    :tongue:

    Here's a hint: Starch isn't bad for you.
  • becky23
    becky23 Posts: 60
    well geez, I guess your answer is that it IS good for me, huh?
  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    Yes ma'am. :)
  • BetterVersion
    BetterVersion Posts: 459
    Ugh. I have no idea whether a potato is bad for you or not. If it IS bad for you, I have no idea why, because all the arguments seem to conflict. All I know is I love potatoes. So I stay away as often as possible. Whether they're bad for me or not, I would be willing to bet half of my obesity was brought on solely by some form of potato. So I try to make them a rarity in my diet now days. :sad:
  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    Why do you blame your weight problem on potatoes?

    The fact is, if you ate so many potatoes that they put you into a caloric surplus, then I get it. But then, it's not the potatoes per se that are the problem. Rather it's the quantity. And too much of anything isn't a good thing.

    Another thing to keep in mind is, if I lived on candy, I probably wouldn't be all that healthy. However, if I eat a balanced, nutritious, calorically controlled diet and add some candy here and there, chances are good I'm probably pretty healthy... especially if I exercise as well.
  • guidosgal
    guidosgal Posts: 581 Member
    It depends they are fat free fairly low in cals and depending on how you cook them and what you put on them they are not that bad for you. Now on the flip side if you are trying for a low Carb diet then they dont really fit that plan. I myself feel that every thing in moderation is ok. But you have to know your body and go from there. (but if you do eat a baked potato remember to eat the skin and they are so yummy with salsa on them but if you need something creamy on them you can use laughing cow 35 cals per wedge)
  • FireMonkey
    FireMonkey Posts: 500 Member
    Potatoes aren't bad for you; the stuff some people smother them with can be bad for you if you have too much. I love new nugget potatoes, boiled in the skin, and served with quark mixed with a bit of skim milk, salt and chopped chives,(German soft cheese, similar to cottage cheese but smooth instead of lumpy), and a little bit of butter. :love: To die for!
  • BetterVersion
    BetterVersion Posts: 459
    Why do you blame your weight problem on potatoes?

    The fact is, if you ate so many potatoes that they put you into a caloric surplus

    That was precisely my point, actually...

    I'm still not seeing how that wasn't clear.
  • Questfor250
    Questfor250 Posts: 155
    Potatoes are not bad for you as long as you use moderate portions. Limit the yummy stuff on top. For me potatoes smothered in butter is to die for. Especially New Potatoes sauteed with butter. MMMMMMMM.
  • awinmac
    awinmac Posts: 30
    Hi,
    Potatoes are high on the glycemic index. Perhaps that might be some of the reason why they are not considered to be one of the best food choices. Of course anything in moderation is just fine. Also the peel is where most ot the potatoes nutrients reside so if you do eat them leave the peels on and eat them too.

    A lot of people replace potatoes with sweet potatoes or yams in their diet as they are more nutrient dense and lower on the glycemic index. One of them is more so than the other but I can never remember which one, I think it's the more colourful of the two.

    happy eating!

    -Amber
  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    That was precisely my point, actually...

    I'm still not seeing how that wasn't clear.

    Sorry.
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