What's the REAL "scoop" about potatoes???

Choclat_Pearl
Choclat_Pearl Posts: 166 Member
edited October 2 in Food and Nutrition
Does it depend on how you cook them?

Should they be eliminated from the diet altogether? :noway:

Is an occasional baked potato okay? :indifferent: What about mashed potatoes? :huh:

I know, French Fries are the Devil :devil: .

How about Sweet Potatoes, are they evil too? :explode:

Does anyone know? And, Chips are still STALKING me! :glasses:

Thanx n Advance.
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Replies

  • VeganGal84
    VeganGal84 Posts: 938 Member
    I have not even kind of cut back on potatoes. Potatoes are amazing!!!

    I even eat fries often, but I bake them. Unless you are low-carbing, potatoes are a great part of a healthy diet!
  • rbryntes
    rbryntes Posts: 710 Member
    It depends on what kind of diet you're on. I aim for a low glycemic-index diet, because I have insulin issues. Because of that, I only eat sweet potatoes (medium glycemic index) or baby/new potatoes (low glycemic index). The others convert to sugar too quickly for me.
  • mynika
    mynika Posts: 312 Member
    Great topic I too want to hear more, I'll check back later.
    Thanks for posting.:flowerforyou:
  • rbloedow
    rbloedow Posts: 47 Member
    Potatoes are fine - I will agree with VeganGal84: Unless you are on a low carb diet, don't exclude them. For the vast majority of people, the focus needs to be more on moderation and healthy preparation.

    Avoid butter with your potatotoes as much as you can. If you're preparing a dish like mashed potatoes, instead of using butter or milk to make them creamy, use a little fat free cream cheese as a healthy substitute. If you want more flavor, use FRESH (never dried) herbs and cracked pepper. Always leave the skin on the potato - it's the most nutritious part.
  • I don't eat them - even if it's a "healthier" way of preparing. I stick to sweet potatoes. I try to avoid most process foods anyways, so chips and crisps are a no go.
  • mermx
    mermx Posts: 976
    I used to eat baked potatoes after following Slimming World `green/red days` but not now I know the calorie content.

    I bought a tin of new potatoes today...55 cals for half tin approx 5 potatoes.
  • jbudge1
    jbudge1 Posts: 62 Member
    I eat them almost daily, just count the calories like anything else.
  • Choclat_Pearl
    Choclat_Pearl Posts: 166 Member
    Wow, Really, You Guys???

    Most people say, you should give up all white foods rice, potatoes, pasta, breads, etc?
  • jbudge1
    jbudge1 Posts: 62 Member
    Wow, Really, You Guys???

    Most people say, you should give up all white foods rice, potatoes, pasta, breads, etc?

    Giving up all that stuff sounds like a fad diet imo. I originally weighted 269 and lost over 70 lbs, I ate rice and potatoes almost daily (and still do). I just eat moderate portions and count my calories like everything else. Besides giving up bread, rice, and potatoes sounds miserable to me.

    The one thing I don't eat much of is Pasta, not because it is a white food, but because it is super high in calories.
  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    Wow, Really, You Guys???

    Most people say, you should give up all white foods rice, potatoes, pasta, breads, etc?

    A vegetable like the potato is a different animal than white bread. Two totally different foods and food groups. I eat potatoes fairly regularly- as long as you aren't carb sensitive, they are good for you and healthy too.
  • Fochizzy
    Fochizzy Posts: 505 Member
    Wow, Really, You Guys???

    Most people say, you should give up all white foods rice, potatoes, pasta, breads, etc?

    Well I can NOT be most people. I eat white bread or pasta every day, and potatos several times a week and guess what! I am losing weight, my nutrition levels are great and I just learned portion control. To each their own. But I will NOT give up white foods, you cannot make me! So there!
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    I just ate a potato! It was amazing.
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    I :heart: Potatoes! Especially sweet potatoes.
  • lakersfan4life
    lakersfan4life Posts: 322 Member
    Wow, Really, You Guys???

    Most people say, you should give up all white foods rice, potatoes, pasta, breads, etc?

    White rice, pasta, and bread are all processed foods. Potatoes are not.
  • _GlaDOS_
    _GlaDOS_ Posts: 1,520 Member
    Potatoes are most delicious. Purple potatoes are my favorite :heart:
  • lakersfan4life
    lakersfan4life Posts: 322 Member
    Wow, Really, You Guys???

    Most people say, you should give up all white foods rice, potatoes, pasta, breads, etc?

    Well I can NOT be most people. I eat white bread or pasta every day, and potatos several times a week and guess what! I am losing weight, my nutrition levels are great and I just learned portion control. To each their own. But I will NOT give up white foods, you cannot make me! So there!

    im really having a hard time with the brown rice c*%#. I've grown up on white rice so im having a hard time giving it up........ and my rice should NOT taste like wheat, darn it.
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    Potatoes are most delicious. Purple potatoes are my favorite :heart:

    Have you ever had purple sweet potatoes? AKA Okinawan sweet potato? OMG, so good!
  • baisleac
    baisleac Posts: 2,019 Member
    Potatoes are one of my favorite sources of potassium! White potatoes, sweet potatoes, new potatoes, red potatoes. *Po-tay-toes!* Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew... Lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of fried fish.
  • GBO323
    GBO323 Posts: 333 Member
    Here's my take on the "no 'white' food" issue.

    I was doing Atkins a long time ago and hit wall for 3 weeks. Saying NO to rice, potatoes, sugar, etc. My wife started doing Weight Watchers and was LOVING her rice, potatoes, and her SmartOnes desserts...and guess what? SHE consistently lost each week.

    So my mantra is I can eat whatever I want, I just can't eat ALL of it I want. For those that are carb sensitive-and I think I am as well-then allot yourself one meal of the day to enjoy that potato, pasta, bread, etc as long as you count it toward your daily calorie target.

    The secret is lower calories tend to lower your carb intake given you are intaking less. There's the $50 Tip of the day. :)
  • _GlaDOS_
    _GlaDOS_ Posts: 1,520 Member
    Potatoes are most delicious. Purple potatoes are my favorite :heart:

    Have you ever had purple sweet potatoes? AKA Okinawan sweet potato? OMG, so good!

    No, but they sound amazing! I guess technically what I eat are called blue potatoes, but they look purple to me. Yum!
  • damonmath
    damonmath Posts: 359 Member
    Potatoes are ok... It's white rice and white bread that are stripped of nutrients and processed. These will turn to sugar if not burned.
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    I had mashed potatoes with greek yogurt AND butter with my dinner yesterday. I don't have 'em often, but I find a way to make them work in my meals every now and then.
  • Grumpelina
    Grumpelina Posts: 56 Member
    I haven't given anything up. I like my food - especially spuds and pasta - and I like my booze.

    In order to keep eating the things I like I exercise pretty hard on weekdays.

    It works for me :-)
  • scyian
    scyian Posts: 243 Member
    I love potatoes in all forms.I think it's just moderation and portion control that's the key.
  • cjsanford63
    cjsanford63 Posts: 19 Member
    I'm not in love with Brown Rice either. But I have tried and love either a Brown Basmati or Brown Jasmine rice. They taste much better than the long grain brown rice I've had...
  • sherismb
    sherismb Posts: 120 Member
    I love french fries and sweet potatoes and potato salad and baked potatoes and mash potatoes.......never mind potatoes are from hell!! LOL No really you can eat potatoes as long as it is within moderation.
  • baisleac
    baisleac Posts: 2,019 Member
    I can't resist.

    Feta & Pine Nut Mashed Potatoes
    3 medium potatoes, flesh and skin, cubed
    1/3 c. plain, non-fat yogurt
    2 Tbsp. Brummel & Brown yogurt/butter blend
    2 tsp, minced garlic
    1/4 c. pine nuts
    1/2 c. feta cheese, crumbled

    Boil potatoes and pine nuts until potatoes are tender. Drain. Add all additional ingredients and mash.

    Makes 4 Servings
    Per serving:
    Calories - 277
    Carbohydrates - 32g
    Sugars - 3g
    Fiber - 4g
    Fat - 13g
    Saturated Fat - 3g
    Cholesterol - 13mg
    Protein - 9g
    Sodium - 265mg
    Potassium - 761mg
  • Dtho5159
    Dtho5159 Posts: 1,054 Member
    Wow, Really, You Guys???

    Most people say, you should give up all white foods rice, potatoes, pasta, breads, etc?

    That's for people who "diet" Im in this for life so this is a lifestyle change. I don't give up ANYTHING. I eat a little of this and a little of that and have lost 52lb doing it.
  • fitinyoga14
    fitinyoga14 Posts: 448 Member
    Potatoes are a vegetable!!! So of course they are okay to eat. What sets potatoes apart from 'lighter' vegetables is the higher carb content and starch. With that comes a side dish that is more filling! So do not fear potatoes- they are not off limits for a person on a diet. Things to watch out for are the ingredients typically added to potatoes, such as heavy cream and butter in mashed potatoes. These toppings are straight fats, and do not have many nutrients. So go ahead and indulge in some homemade 'fries' that are baked, roasted, or grilled in the comfort of your home. Season with your favorite spices, and you'll forget you're dieting at all.

    Note: Sweet potatoes contain more fiber, vitamin A, and beta-ceratene than russet potatoes. They are also slightly lighter in calories. Basically, they are more nutritious than other varieties.
  • Choclat_Pearl
    Choclat_Pearl Posts: 166 Member
    Potatoes are ok... It's white rice and white bread that are stripped of nutrients and processed. These will turn to sugar if not burned.

    Thanx & Thanx for the Eye Candy (giggle) :laugh:
This discussion has been closed.