The Spud IS Good

This is GREAT News. I do love my Potatoes.

Hey folks,

I'm sure you have heard this. White potatoes have carbs that convert quickly to sugar. They are also high in Potassium. Eating Potatoes can cause blood sugar and insulin to surge, so of course a diabetic should stay away from them. However, are they REALLY that bad for you?

I guess the answer is yes and no. According to Veg Source: Potatoes bad? Not so fast

Recently a Harvard study concluded that potatoes are bad for those wanting to lose weight and be healthy. You can read about the study here.

But is this true and accurate? Or another example of shoddy "science?"

Well, if we are discussing French Fries, Potato Chips, and the standard versions of mashed, boiled and baked potatoes (covered with cheese, butter, bacon and sour cream) then yes, the potato looks like "bad news."

However, if we are talking about the plain old baked potato, then this study has no impact. Both the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization declared 2008 "The International Year of the Potato" -- based on the potato's importance to the health, welfare -- and survival -- of the human race.

You can read some interesting articles by Jeff Novick MS RD on the superior nutrition of the baked potato by clicking here and here.

Meanwhile, if you're ready to be schooled about just how wonderful the potato is for human health, WATCH THIS VIDEO OF DR. MCDOUGALL: HERE.

So I checked out some of the links. This one, from the Washington Post - Potatoes bad, nuts good for staying slim, Harvard study finds seems to be totally focused on Weight Loss. They even mention the ELMM Diet.

The findings add to the growing body of evidence that getting heavier is not just a matter of “calories in, calories out,” and that the mantra: “Eat less and exercise more” is far too simplistic. Although calories remain crucial, some foods clearly cause people to put on more weight than others, perhaps because of their chemical makeup and how our bodies process them.

Yeah, I know. Eat Less Move More is just to simplistic. It can't be that simple. Lets spend MILLIONS and do a study, come up with excuses why it may not work for someone. YET? A little bit further in the Article?

Lifestyle factors were clearly important. Those who exercised more gained nearly two pounds less than those who increased their physical activity the least.

Really? {Laughing} Now back to the Potato being good for ya. I encourage you to watch the Video. I did. It's only 4 minutes long. I will be watching the full talk at the Link at the end of the Video when time allows.

Imagine living on an ALL Potato diet? I'm not sure about that, but I DO love my Potatoes.
Peter

Sources:
Veg Source: Potatoes bad? Not so fast
the Washington Post - Potatoes bad, nuts good for staying slim, Harvard study finds