I like to be relaxed around food, by not following a strict diet program. But I know for most who are trying to be conscious about what they eat, consulting Dr. Google is the fastest way to learn how to “get on track”. But instead of giving you clarity, the Internet bombards you with different, often opposing thoughts, about what to eat and what not to include in your diet.
Among the three macros, it’s Carb that has taken the worst hit after our era of low-fat diets. Someone always has to be the bad guy. And because it’s time consuming to explain what in particular under the Carb category isn’t good for you, headlines often read a sweeping claim that Carbohydrates, the body’s preferred fuel source, get in the way of weight loss.
I like busting myths when talking to friends or my followers about nutrition. And one of my favorites is cleaning up the bad rap that has haunted the innocent potato.
So let’s set the facts straight, is the potato guilty of getting in the way of your weight loss? No. In fact, it can help you power through grueling workouts therefore enabling your body to burn more if paired with proper diet and nutrition. A medium-size potato with skin and eaten plain has only 110 calories. That’s really low for something so filling. But apart from being a great source of fuel, potatoes are also great sources of micronutrients for active fitness enthusiasts and even the most elite athletes. It has more Potassium than a banana and provides 30% of our daily Vitamin C requirement, which helps the body’s immune system.
Then why have we been avoiding the potato this whole time? Preparation. While the potato has just 110 calories, it isn’t a surprise that this gets jacked up with preparation. Some olive oil or butter here and a little salt there won’t hurt; baking is healthy unless drowned in toppings. You see, apart from information being mismanaged all over the Internet, it’s also our food and how we prepare it that’s not managed properly, and this gives rise to a lot of misconceptions about plant food.
Years of experience has taught me that fat is lost when one goes into calorie deficit, meaning we eat less than we burn. There’s a host of studies that back this up.
As a wellness coach, I encourage my clients to fill themselves up during meals with food that’s high in fiber and rich in a variety of micronutrients. Fiber, which is found in potatoes, staves off hunger and helps with satiety or that feeling of satisfaction after a meal. The variety of vegetables and fruits apart from the fiber they provide us, also ensures we get the nutrients the body needs and will not stop asking for (in the form of constant craving and hunger). This is how I naturally end up eating less without the feeling of restriction.
So, should we continue to look at potatoes the same way when they’re actually healthy on their own? Perhaps it’s time to reconsider.
