Potatoes Are Part Of A Balanced Healthy Diet
Potatoes are not fattening. Many people are under the illusion, when trying to lose weight, that they should cut potatoes out of their healthy diet. But what they don’t realise is what they are depriving their bodies of in doing so.
The fact is that our bodies need carbohydrates. Carbohydrate is the essential “fuel” for the entire metabolism, and potatoes are a superfood which provides an easily digestible source of this carbohydrate, which is high in nutrients. They are also naturally fat-free and low in calories; it is the ways in which people serve and cook potatoes which makes them fattening. If a baked potato is drenched in butter and cheese, then the fat that the body retains is from the butter and cheese, and not the potato. www.lovepotatoes.co.uk provides some great ways to serve potatoes, including fun ideas for kids.
Potatoes Are A Superfood
People commonly misjudge the potato as a boring, stodgy filler. But in fact, hidden in these ugly spuds are an abundance of magical nutrients which add tremendously to a balanced and healthy diet. As a superfood, they are crammed with vitamins and minerals; and when served with their skins still on, they are a great source of fibre. Fibre promotes good digestion and helps balance body weight. A baked potato in its skin contains more fibre than two slices of wholemeal bread.
Eating Potatoes Means Eating Healthy
Weight conscious people cut potatoes out of their diet because they think that it is a heavy and unnecessary food, but they are actually cutting out a treasure trove of all these wonderful supplements that the body needs to work properly. Rather than cut potatoes from their diet, along with all of its naturally healthy components, people should focus on eating healthy in other ways.
A medium potato (five ounces) contains just over 100 calories, which equals to the same amount as a plain yoghurt. When you compare the nutritional value of these two foods, and the important fact that the potato is far more filling, it becomes clear that potatoes are an essential part of a balanced and healthy diet; they provide the perfect base for any meal.
Choose Potatoes For Carbohydrates Instead Of Rice And Pasta
In comparison to rice and pasta, potatoes are still the healthy diet option. An average serving of 175g of boiled new potatoes in their skins contains 116 kcal; whereas pasta contains 198 kcal, and rice contains double the amount of calories of the serving of potatoes. Pasta contains three times as much fat as potatoes, and rice contains four times as much. Potatoes contain vitamin C, whereas rice and pasta contain none. Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant which helps us to fight off germs and infection. Potatoes are also an amazing source of potassium, one serving contains a whopping 753mg, rice contains only 97mg, and pasta only 52mg. Potassium maintains body fluid levels, which helps regulate blood pressure and heart function. For more information on the bodies nutritional needs visit www.vitamins-nutrition.org
One third of a person’s balanced and healthy diet should consist of carbohydrate-based foods; which includes potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy foods. Potatoes are an obvious healthy choice due to the abundance of nutrients they contain; and in fact, potatoes are more likely to enable a person to maintain their weight because of this. They only become a fattening addition to a healthy diet when their nutritional elements are compromised by unhealthy recipes and methods of cooking.
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