Potatoes Good Or Bad?

24

Replies

  • WhaddoWino
    WhaddoWino Posts: 146 Member
    Any food that comes in organic packaging and is comprised of a single ingredient--itself--is never bad!

    You know what's bad? Anything that has "low-fat," "reduced sugar" or "natural flavoring" on the package and has ingredients with names that look like a serial code such as E471!
  • eagertoloseweight1
    eagertoloseweight1 Posts: 31
    Potatoes are fattening and unhealthy!
  • sewingdiscontent
    sewingdiscontent Posts: 112
    Ok no food is truly bad. And not every potato is created equal. Russet potatoes are probably the one your asking about. If all of the variety of potatoes had a family reunion Russet would be the fun yet reckless uncle that is loved but prolong interaction with him will probably end in trouble. Myself, I can pack on the pounds easily with this guy, which is horrible because he seems to be at every party. Chips, mash potatoes, home fries, gordita taco shells and many more. He can be healthy in moderation but since he is so cheap and readily available it is easy to over indulge. Now his smaller cousins the reds, yellow and fingerlings can be bad like any other food if you eat too much, but tend to digest closer to the complex carb area. If russet is the white bread of potatoes his cousins can be considered like wheat bread in this analogy. They are denser so you get full easier. The skin is healthier and easier eaten so you get more nutrients per ounce. They are not as big so you tend to stop eating when you finish the item. So smaller chunks allow for more chances to stop where are the russet has only one clear spot when its done. After its big self is gone. Potatoes kept the Irish alive for generations for decades so it has its place in our food culture, but it is a danger these days because we live a much more sedentary life style, and can get food with zero effort. Eat them up but beware of the quantity vs activity in your day

    Excellent analogy.

    Personally, since a raw small red potato, one that is 1 3/4" to 2 1/4 inch in diameter, contains about 119 calories, I don't find them worth budgeting for. I am no longer speaking to that whole side of the family.
  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    I've never understood all the potato bashing. My understanding is:

    1) They're a great source of potassium which helps your body regulate sodium levels.
    2) Keep the skin on and they're high fibre.
    3) vitamin C
    4) They're less calorie dense than pasta or rice per 100g uncooked. Most potatoes in the UK are around 75kcal per 100g.
    5) they're super yummy, cheap and practical

    One thing I have realised though is that I was brought up with tiny portions of potato compared to most Brits. Also, I wasn't brought up on potato waffles, chips etc. In fact, I've learnt to increase the quantity of potato I serve to make a meal a proper meal!
  • zombiesama
    zombiesama Posts: 755 Member
    They are so good!

    8lZAkjs.gif

    Boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew.

    :D
  • AnJulNZ
    AnJulNZ Posts: 186 Member
    Potatoes are so versatile and yummy. We buy purple potatoes fairly regularly from our local farmers market. They are so delicious, once you get past the purple :laugh: I prefer heritage and coloured varieties over modern veges.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Potatoes are fattening and unhealthy!

    lol
  • wheezeybouncer
    wheezeybouncer Posts: 122 Member
    mmmmm spuds!

    Mashed with cream and pepper...
    Boiled babies with butter...
    Roasted and tossed in Marmite...
    Baked and topped with Garlic butter, Beans & Cheese...

    It's too early for this sort of talk LOL.
  • xDawnsgrace
    xDawnsgrace Posts: 436
    IIFYM.
  • kbinsobeih
    kbinsobeih Posts: 8
    They have high potassium content only second to banana and coconut water. The added salt (sodium) can sometimes negate the potassium though.
  • Lovestoscrapbook
    Lovestoscrapbook Posts: 295 Member
    sweet potatoes are better than baked potatoes!

    Especaily since you can eat all the sweet potatoes you want since their healthy and regular potatoes are not.

    Uhm. No.

    Its true! Regular potatoes are white and you should avoid white food because its bad for you.

    Why is my 8 year old on MFP? z, get off the Internet! You know the rules! LOL.
  • melindasuefritz
    melindasuefritz Posts: 3,509 Member
    they are good for u except they contain alot of carbs
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I've never understood all the potato bashing.

    I love bashing potatoes! More fun than just mashing them.

    But seriously, I have baked potatoes about 3-4 times a week. I love them.

    My great-grandfather left his home country because the potato crop failed. Sure, some may call it the Potato Famine, but I prefer to think that he liked spuds so much, he crossed an ocean to get non-blighted tubers.
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    They are not only good, but great. Healthy, delicious...oven roasted Yellow Finn potatoes with homemade garlic chive butter from my garden, OMG. Baked sweet potato with a dab of butter and ginger, either powdered or chopped cystallized ginger, and coarse ground black pepper. Why deprive yourself of potatoes? Just fit 'em in.
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    I love potatoes. I feel full after eating a potato with some fat, and they're great for potassium and vitamin C as well. I eat the skins!
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    sweet potatoes are better than baked potatoes!

    Especaily since you can eat all the sweet potatoes you want since their healthy and regular potatoes are not.


    this is a joke right?
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    i eat potatoes a couple times a week ..as long as they fit into your calorie and macro goal for the day then go for it...
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    sweet potatoes are better than baked potatoes!

    Especaily since you can eat all the sweet potatoes you want since their healthy and regular potatoes are not.

    Uhm. No.

    Its true! Regular potatoes are white and you should avoid white food because its bad for you.

    Why is my 8 year old on MFP? z, get off the Internet! You know the rules! LOL.

    right, everything "white" is bad for you ....good lord..

    You could flip that and say sweet potatoes have more sugar in them than white potatoes; therefore, sweet potatoes are worse...
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    sweet potatoes are better than baked potatoes!

    Especaily since you can eat all the sweet potatoes you want since their healthy and regular potatoes are not.

    Uhm. No.

    Its true! Regular potatoes are white and you should avoid white food because its bad for you.

    Eat in the dark. Problem solved. Physics for the win.
  • DalekBrittany
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    sweet potatoes are better than baked potatoes!

    Especaily since you can eat all the sweet potatoes you want since their healthy and regular potatoes are not.

    Uhm. No.

    Its true! Regular potatoes are white and you should avoid white food because its bad for you.

    Eat in the dark. Problem solved. Physics for the win.

    :laugh:
  • thistimesucess
    thistimesucess Posts: 169 Member
    I think the reason potatoes get a bad reputation is because many people don't control the quantity and they are often prepared with other things like oil, butter, cheese etc. I often eat potatoes - I cut them up and bake the, in the oven with a little olive oil spray. They are delicious and filling. But I always make sure I weigh them first. I've been doing this all the way through Mfp and eating the, at least four times a week and I've still lost weight, toned up and become more healthy.
  • bound4beauty
    bound4beauty Posts: 274 Member
    sweet potatoes are better than baked potatoes!

    Especaily since you can eat all the sweet potatoes you want since their healthy and regular potatoes are not.

    Uhm. No.

    Its true! Regular potatoes are white and you should avoid white food because its bad for you.

    So...cauliflower, turnips, jicama, etc....are bad for you too? That's a ridiculous oversimplification.
  • metacognition
    metacognition Posts: 626 Member
    Yes, it's a starchy vegetable and fine in moderation. Eat as much as you want, if you count it. There is no good or bad vegetable - it's a better alternative than plain white bread or another refined carbohydrate.



    Have you tried purple potatoes? They taste the same but have higher levels of antioxidants.

    Have you tried sweet potatoes? Much higher in vitamins than regular potatoes, tastes great mashed with a little truvia and pumpkin pie spice (like desert! )
  • bound4beauty
    bound4beauty Posts: 274 Member
    Look, on a forum such as this you're going to get lots of different opinions The high protein folks will tell you they're bad, the high carb/low fat folks will tell you they are good just don't put any fat on them, raw food enthusiasts will tell you they are only good if you eat them raw, etc...

    Here's my opinion. Food in as close to it's natural state as possible, preferably grown with a minimum of pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, etc.. is good for you. You have to decide for yourself how any food fits into YOUR eating plan. If you like potatoes, then have potatoes. Just make sure you are weighing them and accurately tracking them if you're counting calories. There's nothing wrong with brushing a 1/2 tsp of olive oil on your potato. I'd personally stay away from all the fake butter crap. If you like butter, use real butter or use another source of healthy fat. Mash a little avocado with plan Greek yogurt. There are dozens of healthy ways to dress up a potato. I like mine covered in chili. Enjoy and don't worry about it.
  • DalekBrittany
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    Yes, it's a starchy vegetable and fine in moderation. Eat as much as you want, if you count it. There is no good or bad vegetable - it's a better alternative than plain white bread or another refined carbohydrate.



    Have you tried purple potatoes? They taste the same but have higher levels of antioxidants.

    Have you tried sweet potatoes? Much higher in vitamins than regular potatoes, tastes great mashed with a little truvia and pumpkin pie spice (like desert! )

    This is a nice response!

    I looooove baked sweet potatoes mixed with about an 8th cup of chopped walnuts or pecans and a sprinkle of cinnamon (if I'm feeling naughty, a little brown sugar). It's like Thanksgiving lol.

    Purple potatoes are great for slicing up thin, drizzling in olive oil and baking them on a cooling rack over a cookie sheet so they don't get soggy. It's like chips, but they have a different flavor. They are also great roasted with beets and carrots :)
  • ReasonableAssumption
    ReasonableAssumption Posts: 25
    sweet potatoes are better than baked potatoes!

    Especaily since you can eat all the sweet potatoes you want since their healthy and regular potatoes are not.

    Uhm. No.

    Its true! Regular potatoes are white and you should avoid white food because its bad for you.

    Why is my 8 year old on MFP? z, get off the Internet! You know the rules! LOL.

    Your not very nice.

    Someone asked about purple potatoes. Is purple white? No so purple potatoes would be ok. Except that their not real.
  • ReasonableAssumption
    ReasonableAssumption Posts: 25
    sweet potatoes are better than baked potatoes!

    Especaily since you can eat all the sweet potatoes you want since their healthy and regular potatoes are not.

    Uhm. No.

    Its true! Regular potatoes are white and you should avoid white food because its bad for you.

    Eat in the dark. Problem solved. Physics for the win.

    Thats stupid. It doesn't change the color of the potatoes.
  • ReasonableAssumption
    ReasonableAssumption Posts: 25
    sweet potatoes are better than baked potatoes!

    Especaily since you can eat all the sweet potatoes you want since their healthy and regular potatoes are not.

    Uhm. No.

    Its true! Regular potatoes are white and you should avoid white food because its bad for you.

    So...cauliflower, turnips, jicama, etc....are bad for you too? That's a ridiculous oversimplification.

    I have no idea what jicama is. Anyhow this is just a rule that my alternative doctor gave me for losing my last 20 pounds. It's working for me so far but it might not work for you since we all have to figure out what works for our own bodies. Try it and see if it works for you.
  • gingersnaps828
    gingersnaps828 Posts: 86
    Like you, potatoes are my weakness. ANYTHING potato. It's my favorite food group. I have a whole board on Pinterest to prove it. LOL. But I will try to make things as healthy as I can (within my cals), and I'll swap red potatoes for white potatoes sometimes. I can't do the sweet potatoes, though. Just can't.
  • j6o4
    j6o4 Posts: 871 Member
    As long as it fits in your macros, why not?

    IIFYM!

Categories