In these days of low-carb, diets potatoes tend to get lumped in with other carbs such as bread and pasta, but scientists at the University of California have now revealed that the humble potato is the perfect diet food and contains many of the nutrients our modern diets lack.
New research shows that potatoes are a super food.
Potatoes contain more potassium than a banana, vitamin C, some protein, iron, magnesium, beneficial plant compounds and B vitamins such as B6, thiamin, niacin, folic acid and riboflavin. Also the more colourful the potato is the greater the amount of antioxidants.
Potatoes are low in calories, tick number one. A medium-sized potato has about 130 calories that is only slightly more than a diet, single portion of yogurt.
---------------
READ MORE:
The miracle Irish potato diet - drop 21 pounds in two months
St. Patrick's Day recipes - Potato-centric treats
The Irish spend 9.5 hours per week moaning
---------------
Secondly, potatoes are also filling. If you eat a portion of potatoes it’s unlikely you’ll still be hungry. According to the University of California, potatoes contain proteinase inhibitors which suppress appetite.
The fact that they are so high in potassium is a major plus. The U.S. Academy of Sciences has estimated that we need between 1,875 to 5,635 milligrams (mgs) of potassium per day. Most North Americans only get half of that amount. “Potassium is like sex and money, you can’t get too much,” according to Dr David Young, Professor of Physiology at the University of Mississippi.
Potatoes are the perfect answer for North America’s aging population. A large number of people are suffering from hypertension and this means they’re being prescribed diuretics to control the problem. These patients are low in potassium, they’re taking diuretics and have irregular heart rates.
So there you have it in a nutshell if you give up potatoes you’re putting yourself at a risk or obesity and heart attacks, well at least that the excuse you can give when you order a double portion of mashed potatoes!
9 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.beaumax99 | Sep 08, 2011, 10:41 AM EDT
@Intercessor...thank you for the advice. Sounds like my doctors orders which I am following. My husband on the other hand refused to do so. MODERATION is the key word.
mamaginnty | Jun 20, 2011, 06:06 PM EDT
Sorry to hear about the diabetes Intercessor it can cause so many other problems too, But I don't think I have the willpower to give up the mash, chopped scallions and butter, the men folk love it, work hard so weight is no problem to them or myself.
Intercessor | Jun 19, 2011, 09:13 PM EDT
I have adult-onset Diabetes. Unfortunately, what they're not telling you is that an average size baked potato (not the size that most of us would choose to lather up with butter and sour cream) has 52 carbs, which is more carbs than most diabetics can safely eat in one meal. Giving up potatoes and pasta has been excruciatingly difficult. Had I known how difficult it was going to be, I would have followed my doctor's directions and gotten more exercise and watched by weight years ago. A word to the wise: Do it now, or be sorry later.
seanomelbourne | Jun 19, 2011, 06:36 PM EDT
where's my champ
S.Connolly | Jun 19, 2011, 06:14 PM EDT
I HATE, HATE, HATE MASHED POTS! THERE I SAID IT!
biggles008 | Jun 19, 2011, 01:58 PM EDT
You can't bate your spud.
ciarrai | Jun 19, 2011, 11:45 AM EDT
Didn't some guy from National Geographic live on potatoes and a tablespoon of vegetable oil for a year and thrive? Dats why we loove our pratties.
simplesandy | Jun 19, 2011, 10:50 AM EDT
ok people , listen up!! THERE IS ABSOLUTLY NOTHING wrong with eating potatoes. But keep this in mind, When eating any form of potatoes be it mashed. Fried baked, you have to eat the potato alone for it to take effect the way you want it to. Let me put it this way. when you eat a potato with any proteins (meat, ect.) then when in stomach the protein starts to digest in the meantime the potato starts to break down to starches and turns to alcohol, if you have felt tired after a big meal this is why. So use potatoes by all means, eat those mashed potatoes but be warned .DO NOT HAVE ANY PROTIEN TYPE FOODS WITH THEM. Also did you know for your teeth, eating a potato made any way is like eating a candy bar? The starches stick to your teeth and start to turn to sugar and eat the enamel off your teeth.
mcdolan | Jun 19, 2011, 09:50 AM EDT
Mmmmm.