Rice, baked potato or pasta? The lesser of the evil

nannye
nannye Posts: 9
in Food and Nutrition
I am trying to stay low carb so I try not to eat these as much as possible, but sometimes I just need to. Trying to decide the best of the evils.

I think Pasta is out all together, so microwaved bake potao with a little butter or long grain white rice (sorry I've tried brown blech) with a tiny bit of butter.

Or suggested alternatives. I am making a good effort to avoid it but sometimes you just need it. I am wondering if rice is the better option as it is more easily controlled portion wise?
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Replies

  • Game8
    Game8 Posts: 442
    The only evil thing you're doing is going on a low carb diet.
  • Dodgers33089
    Dodgers33089 Posts: 27
    I always eat about 50% of my calories as carbs, and no fad diet telling me to go heavy protein/low carb/keto/paleo etc etc etc will ever change that

    as for the question on hand, i love love rice. I probably eat rice 4 times a week as my go to side dish
  • monty619
    monty619 Posts: 1,308 Member
    The only evil thing you're doing is going on a low carb diet.

    ^^^truth

    and the answer is potatos... veggie carbs have more micronutrients in comparrison.
  • wobblyweevil
    wobblyweevil Posts: 7
    Rice - that way it's easier to just cook/serve yourself/eat a spoonful, if you want a taste or a little something to mop up curry juice.
  • nannye
    nannye Posts: 9
    I'm not trying to eat no carbs, just less carbs specifically pasta, rice and potatos because they all tend to be pretty high in calories, and I don't always want to waste my calories on them. I still eat carbs and bread and such.

    I am just trying to eat less processed foods too. I am not going on a low carb diet or paleo or anything, I just don't necessarily want to use that many calories on them, but when I do what is the better one to eat.
  • MandyMoo3000
    MandyMoo3000 Posts: 8
    You can eat any of them, as long as you balance your carbs and proteins. Eat complex carbs, as they are slow release, and don't give you the sugar slump an hour or so later. the less processed the food the better. If you find it hard to balance your carbs and proteins, (like me, as I am veggie) try adding protein shakes. Warning, they taste hideous, but are a necessary evil for me.
  • Game8
    Game8 Posts: 442
    I'm not trying to eat no carbs, just less carbs specifically pasta, rice and potatos because they all tend to be pretty high in calories, and I don't always want to waste my calories on them. I still eat carbs and bread and such.

    I am just trying to eat less processed foods too. I am not going on a low carb diet or paleo or anything, I just don't necessarily want to use that many calories on them, but when I do what is the better one to eat.

    Carbs have as many calories as proteins (each 4 calories per gram) whereas fats have 9 calories per gram.
  • danielg810
    danielg810 Posts: 76 Member
    Theyre all really high carb foods, if your on low carb why wouldn't you just stick with fruits & veggies as a carb source? its easier & lower glycemic, I'd thnk you'd be more successful on it that way but just my two cents :)
  • peterdt
    peterdt Posts: 820 Member
    I am trying to stay low carb so I try not to eat these as much as possible, but sometimes I just need to. Trying to decide the best of the evils.

    I think Pasta is out all together, so microwaved bake potao with a little butter or long grain white rice (sorry I've tried brown blech) with a tiny bit of butter.

    Or suggested alternatives. I am making a good effort to avoid it but sometimes you just need it. I am wondering if rice is the better option as it is more easily controlled portion wise?
    SHIRATAKI TOFU NOODLES ARE THE ONLY WAY TO GO! 40 CALORIES FOR LARGE 8 0Z. SERVING. JUST LIKE REAL PASTA!

    SEE THE FOLLOWING THREAD:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/792235-awesome-no-calorie-noodles-shirataki-miracle-noodles
  • SomeoneSomeplace
    SomeoneSomeplace Posts: 1,094 Member
    From what I understand fiber, counteracts carbs. So things like Brown Rice are good because they are so high fiber. Sweet potato are good too. They also have these health food noodles that have no carbs. Just google no carb noodles. Texture is weird, and the stuff they package them in smells nasty but if you rinse them THOROUGHLY and douse them in a flavorful sauce that will stick to them then you can almost trick yourself into thinking it's real pasta.
  • Game8
    Game8 Posts: 442
    From what I understand fiber, counteracts carbs.

    No one with a basic understanding of nutrition would make such statement.
  • sarahcuddle
    sarahcuddle Posts: 349 Member
    If you want to eat carbohydrates that do not spike your blood glucose levels you should try basmati rice. When cooked in unsalted water it has a medium rating on the GI scale and is not chewy in texture like brown rice. Also have you tried quinoa, bulgar wheat or couscous instead?. Wholewheat pasta is fine. Even my kids can't tell the difference with sauce on and has more of the good stuff in it. Boiled new potatoes (again in unsalted water) are better than baked potatoes as they do not release the sugar as fast. Not sure if this is what you are asking but hope it helps
  • chubbybunnee
    chubbybunnee Posts: 197 Member
    Dieting was the worst thing I could do for weight loss! What you do is temporary and once you go back to normal you gain it back. Just stick to MFP. Get a well rounded amount of each category and you will be able to live this lifestyle and not feel deprived! Why give up carbs when they help you fuel up? In my experience, I did a high protein, low carb, went into keytosis, and I lost weight for a few weeks then got tired and gained most back when I started eating carbs again. Its your call, but my 2 cents is don't miss out on carbs. Just pick healthier ones when you do eat them. Get them from broccoli, and other veggies, and you can have bread crumbs sometimes on your fish for flavor, or eat a nice turkey wrap! Just be smart about your selection and you can have them in your life :) Don't deprive yourself of the best tasting category! Lol. (Can you tell I'm a carboholic?) Lol Do you like sweet potatoes? My personal trainer and former room mate told me they are better for you than regular potatoes!

    Also, there was a neat episode on Dr.Oz the other day, don't know if you watch, but he did a boost your metabolism segment based on your body shape. Some had higher cortisol levels, some estrogen, some lacking thyroid hormone. He suggested foods to make a staple for your body type to keep your metabolism fueling its best :) Not sure how true it is, but I started following it and dropped 4 pounds my first week :)
  • ibach08
    ibach08 Posts: 61 Member
    How about sweet potatoes?
    I eat fairly low carb and they are great as a side dish and way better than regular potatoes, pasta or rice!
  • penguinlally
    penguinlally Posts: 331 Member
    sweet potatoes or yams
  • Tat2dDom0105
    Tat2dDom0105 Posts: 661
    How about sweet potatoes?
    I eat fairly low carb and they are great as a side dish and way better than regular potatoes, pasta or rice!


    This FTW in my opinion......with brown rice coming in a close second.
  • Biggipooh
    Biggipooh Posts: 350
    I don't know, if that is true, but I heard, that boiled potatoe has a lower GI, when it is cooled down and then heated back up. Boiled potatoes don't have many cals. Farmers used to feed their pigs with potatoes, they never got fat, lol.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Unless you have a specific medical issue or intolerance, none of them are evil. It's ridiculous to demonise any particular food with respect to weight gain. I eat all three regularly (rice less often, because I don't enjoy it as much) and I've lost weight just fine. Plenty of bread too, in case you forgot that one!
  • barbaramitchell101
    barbaramitchell101 Posts: 360 Member
    The baked potato is by far the most nutricious, especially if you eat the skin
  • susanswan
    susanswan Posts: 1,194 Member
    The only evil thing you're doing is going on a low carb diet.

    ^^^truth

    and the answer is potatos... veggie carbs have more micronutrients in comparrison.

    ^^^^ This! And the magic word is "Micronutrients"! Give the man a prize! = D
  • EmilyTwist1
    EmilyTwist1 Posts: 206 Member
    I'd recommend the potato, especially if you eat the skin because it's got lots of potassium.
  • lingading
    lingading Posts: 258 Member
    basmati brown rice is the way i go!
  • AmberJo1984
    AmberJo1984 Posts: 1,067 Member
    I am diabetic... and I don't even cut out carbs. The real damage (in thinking of carbs) is found in sweets... or AKA empty calories. Baked potatoes are very (INCREDIBLY) nutritious for you. And, highly recommended by my doctors (even as a diabetic). Just don't load it down with cheese, bacon, butter, etc....

    Pasta is good, too... in right portions... and try whole wheat.

    Rice is also good. Again, try wheat... or even quinoa (which is similar to rice, but seems to have less carbs).

    Unless allergic to something, I would never try to cut out anything all together. You need all of your nutrients for the day.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    I like all of those choices, but I try to make them higher quality for the calorie bang. For example, I would choose brown rice or quinoa over white rice, whole grain pasta over white pasta, sweet potatoes over regular potatoes. Also, with potatoes - eat the skin too - a lot of the most nutritious part of the potato is in the skin and right under it, so you don't want to peel that off.
  • hulkling
    hulkling Posts: 35 Member
    When I have rice, i usually mix it with Quinoa. Delicious, lowers the amount of total calories but still filling.
  • barbaramitchell101
    barbaramitchell101 Posts: 360 Member
    You can eat any of them, as long as you balance your carbs and proteins. Eat complex carbs, as they are slow release, and don't give you the sugar slump an hour or so later. the less processed the food the better. If you find it hard to balance your carbs and proteins, (like me, as I am veggie) try adding protein shakes. Warning, they taste hideous, but are a necessary evil for me.

    I find the Ensure high protein is really good..I like the Homemade Vanilla the best, and it has 25 gr protein..they also have milk chocolate...
  • AmberJo1984
    AmberJo1984 Posts: 1,067 Member
    I am diabetic... and I don't even cut out carbs. The real damage (in thinking of carbs) is found in sweets... or AKA empty calories. Baked potatoes are very (INCREDIBLY) nutritious for you. And, highly recommended by my doctors (even as a diabetic). Just don't load it down with cheese, bacon, butter, etc....

    Pasta is good, too... in right portions... and try whole wheat.

    Rice is also good. Again, try wheat... or even quinoa (which is similar to rice, but seems to have less carbs).

    Unless allergic to something, I would never try to cut out anything all together. You need all of your nutrients for the day.

    I should also add.... I have actually REVERSED my diabetes. My A1C as of yesterday was 5.1, and my blood level was 81. And, that is while eating carbs. You just have to worry about portions and getting the right nutrients. Don't cut out anything....

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/792936-nsv-type-2-diabetes
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    Whole wheat pasta is low glycemic, which is the basic point of going lowering your carbs. Brown rice is much better than white. Potatoes are yummy, but never good, unfortunately. Too easy to digest.

    I also eat everything, but in small amounts. Including white rice, potatoes, a bit of pasta, and bread.
  • musenchild
    musenchild Posts: 182 Member
    I'm not trying to eat no carbs, just less carbs specifically pasta, rice and potatos because they all tend to be pretty high in calories, and I don't always want to waste my calories on them. I still eat carbs and bread and such.

    I am just trying to eat less processed foods too. I am not going on a low carb diet or paleo or anything, I just don't necessarily want to use that many calories on them, but when I do what is the better one to eat.

    I feel you on this. I am not low carb by any means, but when I started tracking I found it very hard to stay under and get enough protein while eating as much bread and pasta as I was used to. Here are some of the things I do:

    - Use brown rice or another whole grain like bulgur, barley, or quinoa, instead of pasta if the focus of the dish is the sauce. You get more nutrients and protein for your calories, and stay full longer.
    - I'm dying for some pasta and whole wheat isn't going to cut it: okay, but I have half a "serving size" and bulk out the dish with vegetables. Regular spaghetti mixed with zucchini "spaghetti" is awesome. Again, the fiber in the veg will help you stay full.
    - Measure/weigh and just cut down my portion sizes. Turns out that half a cup of brown rice with my Thai takeout is just as satisfying as a cup and a half of white rice.
    - Don't deprive myself, just plan ahead and fit it in. If I told myself I could never have homemade bread again, I know it wouldn't be long until I was crouched in a corner like Gollum scarfing an entire loaf, maybe while petting it and murmuring "Precious..."
  • tdbad1
    tdbad1 Posts: 87 Member
    IMO-
    either is fine...just measure. If you are controling the amount the you have what you need. I wouldn't rule out carbs all together either, just moderate amounts. Some carbs are not as good for you. ie white bread, pasta. Due to how it is broken down in the body. Others, like raw veggies, fruit, whole grains, legumes provide valuable energy or fuel for the body to burn.

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