Having potato at lunch?

2

Replies

  • I'm still not understanding what is wrong with potatoes? They are PACKED with potassium and other nutrients, fiber, and are very filling. I think it is a wonderful choice.

    Do what your taste buds prefer. I'm a fan of the potato idea to mix it up!
  • splucy
    splucy Posts: 353
    I was asking this because I was looking for something that might benefit my health more. I thought that the purity of a potato might be more health beneficial than processed bread! I'm not too sure what Potassium is all about. I am a bit of a noob when it comes to this sort of stuff.

    Seems to have caused quite the stir. I am ever so confused! I think I'll just stick to the bread hahaha I wouldn't mind dodging the amount of calories in bread though... it always seems to make my lunch add up to a lot! and I have turkey bolognaise sitting in the fridge at home that I need to consume within the next two days so I thought potato + bolognaise was a good idea :P

    maybe not!? :indifferent:
  • AnnaValek
    AnnaValek Posts: 129 Member
    You can eat starchy carbs anytime you want. You act like your body is going to detect starches and immediately add +100 pounds. A carb is 4 calories per gram. It doesn't matter if it's potato or a piece of fruit.

    So, would you like to continue to spew your broscience nonsense?.

    What are you talking about? Eating starchy carbs one day or another won't impact your health curve as long as you remain active, but eating only potatoes as a carb isn't "healthy" and you should try to derive your source of carbs from other sources. Starches can turn to sugar more quickly, despite having the same carbohydrate amount as a piece of bread. We need some starches, but sometimes we need the long lasting effect of whole grain carbohydrates to stay in our system longer than a starch carb will. Since plants convert sugars to starches as a form of food storage, our bodies can easily switch it back when it comes to certain food items, such as potatoes.
    The GI index is pretty much useless. Glycemic Load is more accurate, even then it doesn't matter for the average person.

    I am not using those as a reference. I am referring to how the sugars and carbs are broken down besides the actual content of the food itself. And, "the average person" is not a good term for MFP, since everyone needs their own tweaks to a certain diet or exercise program to make it fit them best.
  • Would be a great idea! Maybe a little variety. If you like potatoes then go for it :D

    The American diet is typically very low in potassium. Potatoes can add a lot. Sodium and Potassium are your electrolytes.
  • xcrushx28
    xcrushx28 Posts: 182 Member
    So I've realised that I need a decent amount of carbs at lunch time to keep me fueled through out the day and give me some much needed energy for the gym after work!

    My question is.... Would I be better off having say.... mashed potato instead of bread?

    I am having a lot of ham and salad sandwiches at lunch time (Wholegrain bread of course!) and am just thinking that a more 'pure' carbohydrate may be more health beneficial than this processed crap.

    I thought that I could perhaps have my turkey bolognaise with some mashed potato for lunch tomorrow. Good idea or nahhhhh?

    Thoughts?

    Have which ever one you prefer. Carbs are not bad - even starchy carbs.

    The benefit potatoes have over bread is that they are LOADED with potassium.

    AND PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF PETE... let's not vilify starch!

    I just had a lovely potato based dinner at EIGHT O'CLOCK! Oh noes.... I might get the diabeetus or wake up wrapped up in stubborn belly fat! :wink:

    LOL^^^
  • xcrushx28
    xcrushx28 Posts: 182 Member
    Oh and lets not forget all the fiber potatoes have too ;)

    Last week I made cheesy potatoes with over 20 grams fiber. It was a masterpiece.
  • AnnaValek
    AnnaValek Posts: 129 Member
    It's fine, but balance out your intake of potatoes with wheat breads and egg (no yolk) or wheat noodles. Carbs are good for energy, but starchy carbs can add up quicker.

    First why wheat bread over let's say white bread, keeping in mind the effect of phytate content in wheat bread on mineral absorption and why no yolks int he eggs? mother nature cries when you throw out the yolk
    With wheat or whole grain, you get the unprocessed everything of the wheat, no just portions of it. You could also eat white bread, but you get more nutritionally from wheat. In a balanced diet, mineral absorption usually is able to work with an elastic metabolism. As for the yolks in the eggs, there's fat there which isn't present in egg whites.


    Eek! not fat!

    As for mineral absorption and whole grains;

    Bohn T, et al. Phytic acid added to white-wheat bread inhibits fractional apparent magnesium absorption in humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2004; (79) 3: 418-423.

    Torre M, et al. Effects of dietary fiber and phytic acid on mineral availability. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 1991; 30 (1): 1-22.

    Reinhold JG, et al. Effects of purified phytate and phytate-rich bread upon metabolism of zinc, calcium, phosphorous, and nitrogen in man. Lancet, Feb. 10, 1973; 1 (7798): 283-288.

    Campbell BJ, et al. The effects of prolonged consumption of wholemeal bread upon metabolism of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus of two young American adults. Pahlavi Medical Journal, Jan, 1976; 7 (1): 1-17.

    Reinhold JG, et al. Decreased absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus by humans due to increased fiber and phosphorus consumption as wheat bread. Journal of Nutrition, Apr, 1976; 106 (4): 493-503.

    These studies aren't large enough to be qualified as statistically significant, and though the insights into the studies may help an athlete or anyone for that matter reconsider their food choices, I'm not saying that everyone that reads this should only eat wheat bread or never eat egg yolks. Mineral absorption may not be a large concern for someone who takes in vast quantities anyway, and the body's metabolism is usually able, within a few weeks of adjustment, to compensate for the inhibition.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I cooked a white potato in duck fat tonight which i guess was a double whammy of awfulness from the starch and fat
  • LabRat529
    LabRat529 Posts: 1,323 Member
    Is it really bad to admit that I have no freakin' clue what a "starchy" carb is?

    I really don't. I'm trying to figure this out and I'm failing.

    But turning my confusion and amusement... OP, I agree with the posters here that say eat what you'd like. Wheat bread is a great source of carbs and will fuel your work out. Potatoes are a great source of carbs and will fuel your work out. They'll differ in calorie content (probably) and in micronutrients (the vitamins and minerals that they have), but aside from that... it's just a preference thing. As long as you can meet your calorie goals, you're golden.

    And potato + bolognaise sounds fabulous!
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    I'm saying that some diets work more for some than others will, and that a low GL diet is better for upkeep, especially when one has to do other things during the day that impedes their ability to be physically active.
    Once again for the average person glycemic load makes no difference.
    Carbs can be adjusted and, ignoring the idea of bread and potatoes, come from a variety of other sources.
    Yep, adjusted on taste.
    Whole grain carbs, as compared to other carbs, there is no difference.
    Yet, you choose one over the other.
    But with whole grain bread, you receive more of the nutrients. Wheat bread is made from flour using all three parts of the wheat. It is known as "whole grain" flour. Whole grain flour contains the nutrients found in the bran, the embryo and the endosperm. White bread, on the other hand, is the finely ground endosperm of the wheat kernel only. Nutrients provided by the bran and embryo are stripped away in the process of making white bread.
    You skipped over the issue of absorption.


    It goes like this. Most people eat whole grain breads due to the fiber content. Of course whole grains have gluten (protein) in them, but as we all know, that can lead to a host of problem. So, If I am going for fiber, I am better off eating fruit. So, please tell me again how grains are better than a potato?
  • KatieCuth
    KatieCuth Posts: 569 Member
    I was asking this because I was looking for something that might benefit my health more. I thought that the purity of a potato might be more health beneficial than processed bread! I'm not too sure what Potassium is all about. I am a bit of a noob when it comes to this sort of stuff.

    Seems to have caused quite the stir. I am ever so confused! I think I'll just stick to the bread hahaha I wouldn't mind dodging the amount of calories in bread though... it always seems to make my lunch add up to a lot! and I have turkey bolognaise sitting in the fridge at home that I need to consume within the next two days so I thought potato + bolognaise was a good idea :P

    maybe not!? :indifferent:

    A baked potato (with skin) is a fantastic lunch time meal topped with your lean turkey bolognese. It will keep you full and give you more energy for the gym... Maybe go light on the carbs for dinner which you normally DO! As previous posters said before the silly **** fight began if you stick to your macro's you will be fine.
    A baked potato is low in fat, contain a wide raing of vitamins and minerals...

    Just mix it up!
  • queenpushycat
    queenpushycat Posts: 762 Member
    I am gonna make Japanese style potato salad.
  • AnnaValek
    AnnaValek Posts: 129 Member
    I AM NOT SAYING THAT CARBS, STARCHY CARBS, YOLKS, OR WHITE BREAD IS BAD.

    I am trying to get it out that sometimes, some carbs should be taken over others, some fat choices should be made over others, and that you should not have a diet incorporating only white bread. Don't eat one thing or another and ignore alternatives or substitutes, but keep in mind what you want the food to do for you. If you want quick energy, potatoes are awesome. Long lasting energy, reach for a whole grain bagel. Having some not-so-fat-free breakfast? Skip the yolks. Want to grab some extra nutrients one fine day to make sure you're balanced, pick a whole grain or wheat slice of toast for breakfast, save the white for lunch.
  • gleechick609
    gleechick609 Posts: 544 Member
    potatotard-meme-generator-i-can-count-to-potato-57195f.jpg?1307366897.jpg
  • ishallnotwant
    ishallnotwant Posts: 1,210 Member
    I was asking this because I was looking for something that might benefit my health more. I thought that the purity of a potato might be more health beneficial than processed bread! I'm not too sure what Potassium is all about. I am a bit of a noob when it comes to this sort of stuff.

    Seems to have caused quite the stir. I am ever so confused! I think I'll just stick to the bread hahaha I wouldn't mind dodging the amount of calories in bread though... it always seems to make my lunch add up to a lot! and I have turkey bolognaise sitting in the fridge at home that I need to consume within the next two days so I thought potato + bolognaise was a good idea :P

    maybe not!? :indifferent:

    A baked potato (with skin) is a fantastic lunch time meal topped with your lean turkey bolognese. It will keep you full and give you more energy for the gym... Maybe go light on the carbs for dinner which you normally DO! As previous posters said before the silly **** fight began if you stick to your macro's you will be fine.
    A baked potato is low in fat, contain a wide raing of vitamins and minerals...

    Just mix it up!

    This is what I was going to suggest, too. You'll get more fiber if you leave the skin on and bake it. However, if you're within your daily intake, and you want some mashed potatoes, by all means, enjoy them! (I LOVE mashed potatoes!) And eggs with yolks, too! :laugh: It's amazing some of the off the wall comments people get on their posts around here. :huh:
  • Or you can just eat what fits in your macros, enjoy what ever food you decide you want at the time, and have a mix of foods to get your micros. No need to make things complicated
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I AM NOT SAYING THAT CARBS, STARCHY CARBS, YOLKS, OR WHITE BREAD IS BAD.

    I am trying to get it out that sometimes, some carbs should be taken over others, some fat choices should be made over others, and that you should not have a diet incorporating only white bread. Don't eat one thing or another and ignore alternatives or substitutes, but keep in mind what you want the food to do for you. If you want quick energy, potatoes are awesome. Long lasting energy, reach for a whole grain bagel. Having some not-so-fat-free breakfast? Skip the yolks. Want to grab some extra nutrients one fine day to make sure you're balanced, pick a whole grain or wheat slice of toast for breakfast, save the white for lunch.

    You keep working under the assumption that the extra minerals/nutrients in whole grain bread get absorbed when in reality it leads to minimal to no increases over white bread
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    Or you can just eat what fits in your macros, enjoy what ever food you decide you want at the time, and have a mix of foods to get your micros. No need to make things complicated

    you+win+at+life+internet+everything+_eb5f8e38f8c24709e54c2ace6f4f0aff.jpg
  • I was asking this because I was looking for something that might benefit my health more. I thought that the purity of a potato might be more health beneficial than processed bread! I'm not too sure what Potassium is all about. I am a bit of a noob when it comes to this sort of stuff.

    Seems to have caused quite the stir. I am ever so confused! I think I'll just stick to the bread hahaha I wouldn't mind dodging the amount of calories in bread though... it always seems to make my lunch add up to a lot! and I have turkey bolognaise sitting in the fridge at home that I need to consume within the next two days so I thought potato + bolognaise was a good idea :P

    maybe not!? :indifferent:

    A baked potato (with skin) is a fantastic lunch time meal topped with your lean turkey bolognese. It will keep you full and give you more energy for the gym... Maybe go light on the carbs for dinner which you normally DO! As previous posters said before the silly **** fight began if you stick to your macro's you will be fine.
    A baked potato is low in fat, contain a wide raing of vitamins and minerals...

    Just mix it up!

    This is what I was going to suggest, too. You'll get more fiber if you leave the skin on and bake it. However, if you're within your daily intake, and you want some mashed potatoes, by all means, enjoy them! (I LOVE mashed potatoes!) And eggs with yolks, too! :laugh: It's amazing some of the off the wall comments people get on their posts around here. :huh:

    Or make baked skins for dinner and the mashed for lunch! Mmmm :]
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    This is what I was going to suggest, too. You'll get more fiber if you leave the skin on and bake it. However, if you're within your daily intake, and you want some mashed potatoes, by all means, enjoy them! (I LOVE mashed potatoes!) And eggs with yolks, too! :laugh: It's amazing some of the off the wall comments people get on their posts around here. :huh:

    FWIW, you can make mashed potatoes with the skins on too. I always do them that way because I like the flavor better.
  • ishallnotwant
    ishallnotwant Posts: 1,210 Member
    I cooked a white potato in duck fat tonight which i guess was a double whammy of awfulness from the starch and fat

    I fried my potatoes in bacon grease and swelled up like a pufferfish immediately after eating them. It was probably that whole egg I ate with it. I shouldn't have combined the potato with a yolk + egg, ya know? Just whites when consuming potatoes. :tongue:
  • LabRat529
    LabRat529 Posts: 1,323 Member
    I was asking this because I was looking for something that might benefit my health more. I thought that the purity of a potato might be more health beneficial than processed bread! I'm not too sure what Potassium is all about. I am a bit of a noob when it comes to this sort of stuff.

    Seems to have caused quite the stir. I am ever so confused! I think I'll just stick to the bread hahaha I wouldn't mind dodging the amount of calories in bread though... it always seems to make my lunch add up to a lot! and I have turkey bolognaise sitting in the fridge at home that I need to consume within the next two days so I thought potato + bolognaise was a good idea :P

    maybe not!? :indifferent:

    And in a genuine attempt to be more helpful...

    Potassium is a great nutrient that we need for daily living. It's involved in a host of biochemical events, but one of the most important (in my opinion) is that it helps maintain the polarity of our cells. Polarity just means the electrical charge- there's a charge difference across the membranes of our cells and this charge difference is used for cell-signaling.

    As for the issue with 'purity', I personally don't worry about the processedness of food (can I use that word? processedness?), BUT if I was worried about it, then yes, a potato would be 'better' than store bought bread in terms of being less processed.

    Enjoy your lunch :D

    Oh... and variety is good- it gives your body a wide array of nutrients to choose from- so 'tatoes sometimes, bread sometimes, squash sometimes... whatever suits your fancy. They all have advantages!
  • xcrushx28
    xcrushx28 Posts: 182 Member
    Stop over thinking everything so much...

    Here's the methodology I use that has been very effective for me:

    Eat a serving of fruit and green veggies, hit your fiber count, then fill in foods YOU LIKE to hit your macros surgically.

    And I'll be truthful I don't always eat my green veggies, but do take a great multi.
  • ishallnotwant
    ishallnotwant Posts: 1,210 Member
    This is what I was going to suggest, too. You'll get more fiber if you leave the skin on and bake it. However, if you're within your daily intake, and you want some mashed potatoes, by all means, enjoy them! (I LOVE mashed potatoes!) And eggs with yolks, too! :laugh: It's amazing some of the off the wall comments people get on their posts around here. :huh:

    FWIW, you can make mashed potatoes with the skins on too. I always do them that way because I like the flavor better.

    My mom always makes them like that, too. I do, rarely, but i'm not super fond of skin in my mashed potatoes. It's a texture thing, for me. :smile:
  • TDGee
    TDGee Posts: 2,209 Member
    Bohn T, et al. Phytic acid added to white-wheat bread inhibits fractional apparent magnesium absorption in humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2004; (79) 3: 418-423.

    Torre M, et al. Effects of dietary fiber and phytic acid on mineral availability. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 1991; 30 (1): 1-22.

    Reinhold JG, et al. Effects of purified phytate and phytate-rich bread upon metabolism of zinc, calcium, phosphorous, and nitrogen in man. Lancet, Feb. 10, 1973; 1 (7798): 283-288.

    Campbell BJ, et al. The effects of prolonged consumption of wholemeal bread upon metabolism of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus of two young American adults. Pahlavi Medical Journal, Jan, 1976; 7 (1): 1-17.

    Reinhold JG, et al. Decreased absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus by humans due to increased fiber and phosphorus consumption as wheat bread. Journal of Nutrition, Apr, 1976; 106 (4): 493-503.

    Your references are not in alphabetical order. I must deduct 10 points from an otherwise excellent presentation.
  • AnnaValek
    AnnaValek Posts: 129 Member
    I AM NOT SAYING THAT CARBS, STARCHY CARBS, YOLKS, OR WHITE BREAD IS BAD.

    I am trying to get it out that sometimes, some carbs should be taken over others, some fat choices should be made over others, and that you should not have a diet incorporating only white bread. Don't eat one thing or another and ignore alternatives or substitutes, but keep in mind what you want the food to do for you. If you want quick energy, potatoes are awesome. Long lasting energy, reach for a whole grain bagel. Having some not-so-fat-free breakfast? Skip the yolks. Want to grab some extra nutrients one fine day to make sure you're balanced, pick a whole grain or wheat slice of toast for breakfast, save the white for lunch.

    You keep working under the assumption that the extra minerals/nutrients in whole grain bread get absorbed when in reality it leads to minimal to no increases over white bread

    Due to the inhibition of absorption? When a study says "inhibited", it could be by less than .05 percent and still be a true statement. (.05 as a significance is what, in most states, legally holds up in court.) You have to pick and choose your goods and bads. I prefer wheat bread because I feel I get more out of it than white bread, and I've grown accustomed to the taste. Besides this, I don't find that wheat or whole grain bread inhibits the body's absorption of minerals and nutrients anywhere close enough to cause a deficiency. Also, a well balanced diet would negate that concern anyway.
  • ishallnotwant
    ishallnotwant Posts: 1,210 Member
    I was asking this because I was looking for something that might benefit my health more. I thought that the purity of a potato might be more health beneficial than processed bread! I'm not too sure what Potassium is all about. I am a bit of a noob when it comes to this sort of stuff.

    Seems to have caused quite the stir. I am ever so confused! I think I'll just stick to the bread hahaha I wouldn't mind dodging the amount of calories in bread though... it always seems to make my lunch add up to a lot! and I have turkey bolognaise sitting in the fridge at home that I need to consume within the next two days so I thought potato + bolognaise was a good idea :P

    maybe not!? :indifferent:

    A baked potato (with skin) is a fantastic lunch time meal topped with your lean turkey bolognese. It will keep you full and give you more energy for the gym... Maybe go light on the carbs for dinner which you normally DO! As previous posters said before the silly **** fight began if you stick to your macro's you will be fine.
    A baked potato is low in fat, contain a wide raing of vitamins and minerals...

    Just mix it up!

    This is what I was going to suggest, too. You'll get more fiber if you leave the skin on and bake it. However, if you're within your daily intake, and you want some mashed potatoes, by all means, enjoy them! (I LOVE mashed potatoes!) And eggs with yolks, too! :laugh: It's amazing some of the off the wall comments people get on their posts around here. :huh:

    Or make baked skins for dinner and the mashed for lunch! Mmmm :]

    OOhhhhh the perfect combination! :heart:
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I AM NOT SAYING THAT CARBS, STARCHY CARBS, YOLKS, OR WHITE BREAD IS BAD.

    I am trying to get it out that sometimes, some carbs should be taken over others, some fat choices should be made over others, and that you should not have a diet incorporating only white bread. Don't eat one thing or another and ignore alternatives or substitutes, but keep in mind what you want the food to do for you. If you want quick energy, potatoes are awesome. Long lasting energy, reach for a whole grain bagel. Having some not-so-fat-free breakfast? Skip the yolks. Want to grab some extra nutrients one fine day to make sure you're balanced, pick a whole grain or wheat slice of toast for breakfast, save the white for lunch.

    You keep working under the assumption that the extra minerals/nutrients in whole grain bread get absorbed when in reality it leads to minimal to no increases over white bread

    Due to the inhibition of absorption? When a study says "inhibited", it could be by less than .05 percent and still be a true statement. (.05 as a significance is what, in most states, legally holds up in court.) You have to pick and choose your goods and bads. I prefer wheat bread because I feel I get more out of it than white bread, and I've grown accustomed to the taste. Besides this, I don't find that wheat or whole grain bread inhibits the body's absorption of minerals and nutrients anywhere close enough to cause a deficiency. Also, a well balanced diet would negate that concern anyway.

    What i'm saying, recommending whole grain bread due it's greater amount of nutrients over white bread is faulty, since the greater amounts of nutrients don't get all absorbed, making the absorbed nutrient content between the 2 much more similar and to make choosing the whole grain bread for nutrients moot
  • KatieCuth
    KatieCuth Posts: 569 Member
    This is what I was going to suggest, too. You'll get more fiber if you leave the skin on and bake it. However, if you're within your daily intake, and you want some mashed potatoes, by all means, enjoy them! (I LOVE mashed potatoes!) And eggs with yolks, too! :laugh: It's amazing some of the off the wall comments people get on their posts around here. :huh:

    FWIW, you can make mashed potatoes with the skins on too. I always do them that way because I like the flavor better.

    we call them smashed potatoes... yummy
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    This is what I was going to suggest, too. You'll get more fiber if you leave the skin on and bake it. However, if you're within your daily intake, and you want some mashed potatoes, by all means, enjoy them! (I LOVE mashed potatoes!) And eggs with yolks, too! :laugh: It's amazing some of the off the wall comments people get on their posts around here. :huh:

    FWIW, you can make mashed potatoes with the skins on too. I always do them that way because I like the flavor better.

    we call them smashed potatoes... yummy

    haggis_om_nom_nom.jpg
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