An expert busts the myth | HealthShots. Potatoes DON'T make you fat. It's how and how much you eat them!
Yes, you can lose weight by eating potatoes. Most people claim that one can lose 0.45 kg daily just by eating potatoes. In addition, research shows that consuming fibre-rich foods like potatoes promotes gut health and significantly prevents obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Studies show that consuming junk food and processed foods with synthetic additives are the leading cause of high belly fat and obesity. Additionally, foods rich in sugar and Omega 6 fatty acids, excessive drinking, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle are equally likely to cause high belly fat levels.
Research demonstrates that people can eat potatoes and still lose weight. FACTS There is no evidence that potatoes, when prepared in a healthful manner, impede weight loss. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition demonstrates that people can eat potatoes and still lose weight1.
Do Potatoes Hinder Weight Loss? If you generally follow a healthy diet and stay away from excessive consumption of junk foods, consuming potatoes may not lead to weight gain. In fact, potatoes- both white and sweet potatoes- may help you in weight loss because they have a rich nutritional profile.
Which is the winner then? The information gathered leads us to a conclusion that rice, especially brown or parboiled kind (white one with added nutrients) is a better choice than potatoes thanks to its high vitamin content and low glycemic index.
Though potatoes may be thought of as a fattening food, a medium, unsalted plain baked potato with skin has only 160 calories and is naturally fat- and cholesterol-free. Each potato also packs about 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, which keeps us feeling full.
If you are trying to lose weight by keeping track of your intake of calories and fat, either rice or potatoes could be helpful. Both are nearly fat free, with less than a gram of fat per serving. They are also similar in caloric content.
Boiled potatoes are naturally rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly potassium, phosphorus, B-complex vitamins and vitamin C. They are low in calories and fat, and their high fiber content helps you feel full. Contrary to popular belief, potatoes are not inherently fattening.
To keep your healthy potatoes ranking low on the calorie front, try serving them boiled or roasted in a salad or mixed-veggie dish, or baked with nutrient-packed toppings like spices, Greek yogurt, salsa, or beans.
Spinach and other leafy green vegetables like kale, lettuce, etc. are great for burning belly fat and are very nutritious as well.
Consuming leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, dark lettuce, and kale is a fantastic way to burn belly fat. They improve your metabolism and carry many minerals. Iron, for example, is excellent for your blood and results in more effective workouts.
Digestive Health
Like soluble fiber, the resistant starch in potatoes acts as a prebiotic – food for good bacteria in the large intestine that improves gut health. Like insoluble fiber, it can prevent or treat constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
A. Yes, it is safe to consume potatoes every day as long as you cook them without much salt or saturated fats. One medium-size potato can be part of a healthy diet. It doesn't increase cardiometabolic risk and the chances of having diabetes and heart disease.
[1] However, potatoes don't count as a vegetable on Harvard's Healthy Eating Plate because they are high in the type of carbohydrate that the body digests rapidly, causing blood sugar and insulin to surge and then dip (in scientific terms, they have a high glycemic load).
Still, she said, “I would suggest eating less than four servings a week.” If you need more convincing, Borgi said, take a look at the latest dietary guidelines, which suggest women consume no more than five servings of starchy vegetables a week and men, six.
And unlike white bread, the starch in potatoes hasn't been refined to deplete nutrients. Potatoes also deliver niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C and magnesium. They're a great source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.
Baked, mashed, or boiled, potatoes actually provide more energy-delivering complex carbohydrates than a cup of pasta. All varieties--russet, red, yellow, purple, and sweet--contain impressive quantities of vitamins and minerals. Plus, they're easy to digest and prepare.
Carb Content in Rice and Potatoes
Because they come in many varieties and have different nutritional values, the carb content will also vary. For example, common rice will have a higher carb content than baked potatoes. However, if you compare rice with sweet potatoes, rice will contain more carbs.
Plus, they have virtually no fat. Baked potatoes are highly filling and have a high resistant starch content, which may help you manage your blood sugar levels and lose weight, if that's one of your goes, as long as you consume them in moderation.
Yes, baked potatoes are healthy. There's nothing inherently wrong with including potatoes in an otherwise healthy, balanced diet. The only pitfall here is preparation. A plain baked potato is a rich source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that provide protein, and is low in fat and sodium.
Eating one medium-size potato a day can be part of a healthy diet and doesn't increase cardiometabolic risk — the chances of having diabetes, heart disease or stroke — as long as the potato is steamed or baked, and prepared without adding too much salt or saturated fat, a study by nutritionists at The Pennsylvania ...