It is what many a potato-lover has long suspected: spuds are bad for the waistline.
The humble potato is one of the most fattening vegetables, a study found.
Yes, potatoes are higher on the glycemic index (GI) which means they do raise your blood sugar levels and insulin levels. Since insulin promotes fat synthesis, in theory, yes, foods that are high GI (like potatoes) should make you gain weight and foods that are low GI should make you lose it.
In the real world, we don’t usually just eat a plate of mashed potatoes all on its own. By sticking to a moderate portion about one cup and pairing it with protein like chicken or steak, and fibre, we can slow down the blood sugar response and have a more balanced beautiful plate.
Ultimately, I’m not telling anyone to go and eat fried foods all day, I’m just trying to take the taboo away from people enjoying food and emphasizing that all foods have nutritionally redeeming qualities and can be enjoyed in moderation. And potatoes, for one, are definitely not the “bad” food they’ve been made out to be.
