First, they made vodka out of it, and then they generated electricity from it, and now this…
In one of my recent blog posts, I talked about how society has stereotyped all forms of carbohydrates and have given them a bad rap. Now, while most processed and refined forms of Carbohydrates definitely do more damage than provide our bodies with clean fuel to burn, there are still MANY that are nutritious and healthy and most importantly, inexpensive.
Let’s put things into perspective. Carbohydrates can come from a lot of different food sources. But today, when we say Carbs, we think cakes, pastries, breads, pastas, potatoes,sweet potatoes, rice, and other grains. We also often forget that carbs are found (in different amounts, of course) in almost every vegetable.
THE SPECTRUM OF CARBOHYDRATES
Going back to the initial list of Carbs above:
Cakes, pastries, breads, pastas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice and other grains
This is a pretty rough, yet broad range of what most people perceive as the most common carb sources. They differ, however, in terms of quality.
How carbohydrate-rich foods, or most food in general, are prepared, cooked, and combined with other food items makes a huge difference on where they fall in the spectrum. Rice when eaten whole (wild, red, brown,) is packed with protein, fiber and vitamins. Every color is a different nutritional profile. Now, strip the grain and you get white rice- a carb source with barely any nutrient left. Because there is zero fiber, zero protein and no nutrient content, your body doesn’t get the message that you are eating enough as it is always on the lookout for nutrients. You end up wanting to eat more or actually eating more than you should
Like I said, how food is prepared and combined greatly affects whether or not it nourishes the body and provides just the right amount of fuel or if it ends up getting stored as fat. In the recent months, I have been exploring and testing inexpensive food options for my clients. I’ve found US Potatoes to be great alternatives to Sweet Potatoes, which are known to be the healthier than regular potato. Guess what, THEY ARE JUST AS HEALTHY.
Now, if you’re wondering when it’s best to eat US Potatoes, here’s my opinion on that:
- Before a grueling workout. If we’re talking calories, one medium sized US Potato (with skin on) only contains approximately 110 calories. For a physically active person, a couple of these at least 3 hours before an intense workout would make for the perfect fuel.
- After your workout. US Potatoes are a rich source of potassium, which helps regulate mineral and fluid balance. And speaking of fluid, the lost electrolytes from your sweat sessions need to be replenished. Guess what vegetable can help? The US Potato, of course.
- In any meal. US Potatoes come in different varieties, colors, shapes and sizes. You can choose from three types of US potatoes for your post recovery meals: fresh, frozen, or dehydrated. Whichever you choose, all are packed with vitamins and minerals to help your body recover.
FINAL THOUGHTS
When you learn about something that’s good for you, incorporate it into your diet and lifestyle. It doesn’t mean all you should be eating is that.
Lastly, we can’t eat like a tri-athlete if the only marathon we’re running the following day is one on Netflix. The key is to eat according to your body’s needs. Quantity and quality must always go hand in hand when it comes to nutrition.
To know more about US potatoes and why they are good for you visit their Facebook page.
Source:
*Kanter, M. High Quality Carbohydrates and Physical Performance: Expert Panel Report. Nutrition Today. 2017 November/December; (53)6
