Shunned by dieters and ridiculed by the carb-conscious, the white potato has never really been thought of as a diet food — until now. More people are turning to spuds in order to keep themselves feeling full while they lose weight, and you may be shocked to find out how well this actually works. At least one celebrity says he lost 100 pounds eating potatoes. Doesn’t that make you want to know more about this frequently-overlooked veggie?
Nutritional Value
If you’ve heard that white potatoes have little to no nutritional value, you heard wrong. This is a vicious rumor, possibly spread by carrots (another root vegetable). White potatoes are, in reality, a good source of Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C, not to mention potassium and magnesium. They can also soothe stomach ailments. Potatoes can calm an upset stomach, and they create very little bloating and gas.
Clearly, they’re also delicious. When diet food is tasty, it’s time to start paying some serious attention.
Losing Weight
The concept of using white potatoes to lose weight isn’t brand-new, but it’s not talked about very often. You may remember hearing about a man in 2017 who lost dozens of pounds eating potatoes for breakfast and lunch every single day for a year. And if you didn’t, you may have heard about world-famous magician Penn Jillette of Penn and Teller fame. He wrote a book about losing more than 100 pounds, a journey that all started with a two-week potato diet. Director Kevin Smith, known for flicks like “Clerks” and “Chasing Amy,” started eating them to lose weight earlier this year — and it’s working.
Many others are trying a potato diet to kick-start their weight loss. The 5-day potato diet has been catching on lately, and it’s easy to see why. Potatoes are extremely versatile. You can bake them, roast them, boil them, cut them into any shape you want, mash them and even eat them raw when you’re feeling especially adventurous. You can turn them into potato salad, mashed potatoes, or home fries. Dieting doesn’t often give you a ton of options when it comes to eating, and that’s what makes potatoes especially attractive.
Potato Diet
To be clear, no human being can survive indefinitely by eating potatoes alone. You will get nutrients, but you definitely won’t get all the nutrients and minerals you need. Potatoes are low in protein and calcium, for one thing, and your body definitely needs plenty of that. However, many tout the benefits of eating potato-based meals three to five days a week. The rest of the time, continue to eat a healthy, low-calorie diet that’s rich in protein, calcium and other nutrients your body needs.
And about the carbs, don’t be terrified of eating them. Your body needs a certain amount of carbohydrates to stay energized. Most nutritionists recommend a well-balanced diet that includes a healthy amount of carbs, along with plenty of protein and some good fats, even for those who are trying to lose weight.
Are you ready to try a potato diet?