Potatoes: Poe-tae-toe, Poe-tah-toe

White potatoes get a bad rap. They are not "bad" like white rice or white bread. The bread and rice are only white because they are processed to be so, which takes out the important nutrients. White potatoes are high in things like vitamin C and potassium. The "bad" thing about white potatoes is that a lot of times people fry them and/or slather them with butter, sour cream, bacon, cheese, etc. (AKA my husband, LOL.)

I am a diabetic and don't seem to have any spikes or issues with potatoes, unlike with things like white pasta (yum!) or bread.

Ooooo... I like this thread! Sweet potato with quinoa & cumin sounds great, too!!!

I love potatoes far too much to give them up entirely! Just can't make myself try sweet potatoes. I think its an aversion to the cloyingly sweet version mashed and covered in marshmellows. Yuck!

So to summarize:

Potatoes of any sort are healthy. Sweet potatoes are given the nod over the other family members because they have more nutrients. It is a good idea to eat the skin of a potato.

There are many options for how to cook 'em. The less fat involved the less calories it will cost you. I like baked potatoes with greek yogurt, low fat cheddar cheese, broccoli and bacon bits. It is a good lunch or dinner

Sweet potatoes are better than yams in my humble opinion (yellow vs orange flesh). I am not a fan of the brown sugar/marshmallow version because it is too sweet to be anything but gross. Our family really likes sweet potatoes in our breakfast scrambles with onions, mushrooms, peppers, egg whites and some type of potato. Sometimes we add salsa or cheese or even guacamole.

Not trying to make things difficult for myself.
I feel a lot better and don't feel lethargic after eating whole grains now.
Just wanted some advice on which potatoes are the better kind to eat,
you know like custard based ice cream vs. frozen yogurt.
The frozen yogurt tastes great, but is much healthier for you than the saturated custard ice creams.

Please no negativity, I'm all about helping others, encouragement, and honest advice.

No one is being negative. The advice you are being given is helpful. The debate of white potatoes vs sweet potatoes, which one is "good" and which is "bad" is pointless. Eat whichever potato you want. Not feeling lethargic after eating whole grains is all in your head honestly. 100g of sweet potato or 100g of white potato almost have equal nutritional values - Sweet potatoes being slightly higher calories and carbs because of the natural sugars. Honest advice - don't complicate your life. Unless you have a form of insulin resistance or are carb sensitive, just eat your carbs according to your daily goals. Focus on nutrient dense foods for overall health, but have fun as well. Carbs aren't bad. Now ditch the potato and have some ice cream!

Yup. Especially to the ice cream part.

Wholemeal potatoes.

Seriously...make friends with sweet potatoes. Far more nutrients than the regular spud.

LOL. No

Man you are great at spreading bro science

Maybe you should compare the vitamin A amounts in the two types before laying on the bro science accusation - the statement isn't strictly incorrect.

Who'd have thunk the Potato question would be so controversial?

Alan Agaron on the question.................

http://www.simplyshredded.com/the-truth-behind-5-food-myths.html


"Sweet Potatoes are Better


Myth #2: "Sweet potatoes are better for you than white potatoes."

The origin: Because most Americans eat the highly processed version of the white potato—for instance, french fries and potato chips—consumption of this root vegetable has been linked to obesity and an increased diabetes risk. Meanwhile, sweet potatoes, which are typically eaten whole, have been celebrated for being rich in nutrients and also having a lower glycemic index than their white brethren.

What science really shows: White potatoes and sweet potatoes have complementary nutritional differences; one isn't necessarily better than the other. For instance, sweet potatoes have more fiber and vitamin A, but white potatoes are higher in essential minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and potassium. As for the glycemic index, sweet potatoes are lower on the scale, but baked white potatoes typically aren't eaten without cheese, sour cream, or butter. These toppings all contain fat, which lowers the glycemic index of a meal.

The bottom line: The form in which you consume a potato—for instance, a whole baked potato versus a processed potato that's used to make chips—is more important than the type of spud."

Not trying to make things difficult for myself.
I feel a lot better and don't feel lethargic after eating whole grains now.
Just wanted some advice on which potatoes are the better kind to eat,
you know like custard based ice cream vs. frozen yogurt.
The frozen yogurt tastes great, but is much healthier for you than the saturated custard ice creams.

Please no negativity, I'm all about helping others, encouragement, and honest advice.

No one is being negative. The advice you are being given is helpful. The debate of white potatoes vs sweet potatoes, which one is "good" and which is "bad" is pointless. Eat whichever potato you want. Not feeling lethargic after eating whole grains is all in your head honestly. 100g of sweet potato or 100g of white potato almost have equal nutritional values - Sweet potatoes being slightly higher calories and carbs because of the natural sugars. Honest advice - don't complicate your life. Unless you have a form of insulin resistance or are carb sensitive, just eat your carbs according to your daily goals. Focus on nutrient dense foods for overall health, but have fun as well. Carbs aren't bad. Now ditch the potato and have some ice cream!

Yup. Especially to the ice cream part.

Wholemeal potatoes.

Seriously...make friends with sweet potatoes. Far more nutrients than the regular spud.

LOL. No

Man you are great at spreading bro science

Maybe you should compare the vitamin A amounts in the two types before laying on the bro science accusation - the statement isn't strictly incorrect.

That's ONE nutrient. You know there is more to food than vitamin A, right?

White potatoes are full of some really great stuff. So are sweet potatoes.

I don't think one is necessarily better than the other. And sweet potatoes, FYI, aren't even actually potatoes.

Mmmmmmmmmmm, 'taters are GOOD!

Why do people give such bad labels to good, healthy food? Potatoes in all forms and colors are high in potassium, fiber, Vitamin C and Iron. And they actually have some good protein in them.

Don't be afraid of "white" food....................

We eat sweet potatoes often. Bake them whole, sweet potato baked fries, mashed up and mixed with quinoa, etc. However, you don't have to avoid the good ol' russet. Every once in awhile, I want a potato, so i have one (usually cut up, tossed with olive oil and s&p, and baked. Holy yum!!).

This. Eat what's tasty!