****Official 2013 Weight Loss Challenge****

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

Potatoes don't generally have many nutrients though, correct? I believe the skins do but I thought the innards were pretty empty. I do enjoy some good broccoli, green beans, etc. but a lot of these places put a lot of butter or other things on their vegetables to make them more "tasty".

I generally do try to order chicken or salmon. I can't have shrimp as I'm allergic to it. Salads with no dressing is very bleh to me (I'll generally get a vinaigrette). I'd imagine plain potatoes would also be somewhat of the same way. It's a very dry food that needs something to whet it up for mass consumption.

Potatoes are very high in nutrition and even contain complete protein. I'll have to look for it again but I read a study a while back where two people lived on nothing but potatoes for 6 months. They were perfectly healthy and stayed in nitrogen balance the whole time (which meant they were getting enough protein to not lose muscle).

I actually like plain potatoes with salt and vinegar on them. I'll also cut them into wedges, bake them until browned and eat them with a little low sugar ketchup. That wouldn't be possible in a restaurant, though.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Potatoes are very high in nutrition and even contain complete protein. I'll have to look for it again but I read a study a while back where two people lived on nothing but potatoes for 6 months. They were perfectly healthy and stayed in nitrogen balance the whole time (which meant they were getting enough protein to not lose muscle).

I actually like plain potatoes with salt and vinegar on them. I'll also cut them into wedges, bake them until browned and eat them with a little low sugar ketchup. That wouldn't be possible in a restaurant, though.

Interesting. For some reason I always thought potatoes didn't have much nutritional value. Learn something new every day.

[luv]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

Interesting. For some reason I always thought potatoes didn't have much nutritional value. Learn something new every day.

I don't tend to eat them much simply because it's a white carb. I'm not doing the low carb diet, but I do try to avoid white carbs. Sugars, white potatoes, white rice, white bread, etc.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by luv

I don't tend to eat them much simply because it's a white carb. I'm not doing the low carb diet, but I do try to avoid white carbs. Sugars, white potatoes, white rice, white bread, etc.

Why are white carbs so bad?

[luv]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

Why are white carbs so bad?

They're not all bad.

http://www.bradgouthrofitness.com/ar...ite-carbs-bad/

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

Why are white carbs so bad?

I think the problem with "white carbs" is how they are usually served. Potatoes are primarily sold as chips and fries (highly palatable calorie bombs) or baked and loaded with butter and sour cream. Wheat is made into donuts, pizza crust, muffins, etc. Sugar is added to just about everything to make it more palatable.

In the context of a whole food diet, I don't think there is anything wrong with rice or potatoes. Some people can also get away with whole wheat (I can't).

Personally, I'm trying to get away from thinking of food as carb, protein or fat. For example, potatoes are primary carb but are also 10% (complete) protein and about 7% fat. Oatmeal also has a good protein profile and is about 16% fat. There aren't many whole foods that are 100% carb, protein or fat so I am trying to think of food as healthful or unhealthful while also looking at the calorie density. It's working pretty well, at least when I don't get sidetracked by graduation parties.