Potatoes?

[DragonGT]

What are your thoughts on potatoes? Are they good or bad for you and why? I like potatoes alot. My favorite thing to do is to make baked french fries. Instead of frying with oil, just put them in the oven or toaster oven with some seasoning. But today I found out that they are high in starch, is this true? I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Another thing that I read that I'm not sure about, starch is good for repairing muscle? Is this true? I was doing squats the other day and my right upper thigh is really sore and hurting me, so I guess in my case it would be okay to eat some baked potatoes? :)

[BBAddict]

Sorry, anything but sweet potatoes/yams have a high glycemic index, which means that the carbs cause an insulin spike and the energy is more prone to be stored as fat as opposed to being used for energy or to refuel glycogen stores. High glycemic index carbs are the reason Americans are so fat, not carbs in general--people just need to learn the right sources for proteins, carbs and fats.

You can do the same type of things with sweet potatoes though. I have a recipe for baked sweet potato fries thats pretty good and I have really learned to enjoy sweet potatoes--I actually can't stand the thought of a baked potato now, but mashed potatoes on the other hand... Anyway, stay away from most potatoes if you're concerned about lean body mass.

[DragonGT]

So wait, the other humans from other parts of the world are exempt from High glycemic index carbs? I really don't understand why you chose to focus on Americans.

So potatoes are bad for you? Aww....but potatoes are so good! I'll have to give up all my favorites, baked potatoes, baked fries, mashed potatoes....knish! I can't give up my knishes! lol *sigh*

I tasted sweet potatoes one time, sweet potatoe pie. I didn't really like it, almost threw up lol!

[redsquirrel]

I really don't understand why you chose to focus on Americans.

Plain and simple: 60% of Americans are obese. There is an epidemic in this country for obese and overweight people. You simply don't hear about that in other countries.

[Scrumhalf]

While it is true that potatoes have a high glycemic index, there is probably no need to just completely give up potatoes. Just have it in moderation - i.e. not every day and every meal!

I would venture to say that while Americans tend ot eat more junk food, the biggest problem is lack of exercise. I bet that if you rode a bicycle to work and only took your car out when it is too far to ride your bike or you need to carry some stuff home like groceries, you should be able to tolerate a lot more potatoes! Of course, if you drive everywhere and sit at a desk job for 8 hours a day, you can pretty much guarantee an expanding waistline with excess carbs.

My folks moved to the US from India. When I visit there, I am struck by how much oil most of the food is cooked in. It is all rice and oily curry stuff. But everyone is thin as a rail because most people don't have cars and ride bicycles, walk or take the bus to get around. The only fat Indians I have seen are in the US or the UK lol....