Spuds deserve more credit, IMO.
͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
| | | | I recently experienced a very disappointing moment. During a team meeting with co-workers who shall not be named, I asked everyone to share their favorite way to eat and/or cook potatoes. (We also do work sometimes, I promise.) Instead of the glee (or even mild enthusiasm) I had hoped for, I was met with silence. | | "Uh, mashed potatoes, I guess?" one person finally managed. | | "Potato chips!" another chimed in with feigned excitement. | | I looked around and saw nothing but indifferent, unamused faces. Not the potato-passionate crowd I'd imagined, that much was clear. | | Honestly, I shouldn't have been surprised. I've heard lots of accusations thrown at potatoes throughout my life — high in carbs, boring, tasteless. But the truth is, spuds don't get nearly as much credit — nutritionally or otherwise — as they deserve. Below, I debunk three myths about potatoes that I'm truly tired of hearing. | | | | Hear me out,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
July 19, 2024 • 4 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | 3 myths about potatoes I'm sick of hearing | ❌Myth: Potatoes are unhealthy because they're high in carbs.
✅Fact: Potatoes are complex carbs that are high in fiber.️ | Western culture has a complicated — dare I say, toxic — relationship with carbohydrates, so it's par for the course that potatoes get demonized for their high carb content. Yes, potatoes are primarily composed of carbs. However, when you eat them with the skin on, they pack a healthy dose of fiber, helping you stay fuller longer and making them less likely to spike your blood sugar than simple carbs.️ | ❌Myth: Eating potatoes is a risk factor for obesity and diabetes.
✅Fact: Eating highly processed foods is a risk factor for obesity and diabetes.️ | Potatoes are commonly consumed as processed foods (think: French fries and potato chips). Processing foods can strip away nutritional value and add potentially problematic elements like sugar and saturated fat. However, the research doesn't show that eating potatoes in general increases your risk for chronic conditions. | ❌Myth: Potatoes are boring and don't "add" anything to a meal.
✅Fact: Potatoes are a highly versatile ingredient that can be a vessel for flavor.️ | | Is this my opinion and not an actual fact? Yes. Am I going to say it anyways? Also yes. Versatile potatoes are happy to be the star of the show, as they are in latkes, home fries, and potatoes au gratin. And they're happy to take the supporting role in a hearty stew or a breakfast hash. There are simply too many ways to prepare potatoes to dismiss them completely. ️️ | Tips for incorporating potatoes into a balanced diet - Keep the skin on! This is where a majority of their nutrients are located.
- Let them cool down before eating. This may lower their glycemic index considerably.
- Cook them without adding saturated fats. Try boiling or roasting with olive oil.
- Store them in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place. Toss them out if they sprout or start to turn green.
| | Three healthy ways to cook potatoes, from our friends at Wellos | | | | | | |
| | | | No scrubs | | | | | | |  | | Full Circle Ring Veggie Brush | | Does it feel like you could be washing your veggies better? Or, better question: Is there always a little bit of crud left on your potatoes and mushrooms after you rinse them? If so, this brush could be a great addition to your kitchen. It's made from bamboo and has recycled plant fiber and plastic bristles that effectively scrub fruits and veggies without damaging their nutrient-packed skin. It's also designed to conveniently hang on your wall for drying between uses. | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | *It can not be combined with your health insurance. Healthline and Optum Perks are owned by RVO Health. By using this Optum Perks service, we may receive a tangible benefit. | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Thanks for listening to me hash out my feelings about potatoes! If you have any further potato-related thoughts you'd like to contribute to this conversation, let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming newsletter.) Have a lovely weekend! | | | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment