No doubt you have been told you can’t have starchy carbs if you want to lose weight. The current fad diets are built around his premise. But should you cut them out completely? Or are some carbs better than others? Although some people will tell you that eating carbs is bad—and won’t help you lose weight—they are wrong. We are going to discuss this from a different perspective so you can be “real’ about your foods and still lose weight and gain the health that you want.
First of all, there is nothing wrong with having some carbs in your weight loss program. It’s more about timing and amount. And, your brain needs carbs to function (keep in mind the “Hangry” feeling).
First two tips:
- Eat your starchy carbs earlier in the day. Cut them by 3 pm and go with veggies, fruits, and protein the remainder of your day.
- Eat small amounts. A serving size is about the palm of your hand (flat, not piled high. I know what you are thinking).
So, now let’s talk a little more detail about starchy carbs. My favorite carb to eat happens to be potatoes and it should be yours as well. Although potatoes don’t contain all the nutrients you need, it can be part of a healthy nutritional approach to give you some of the nutrients your body needs to be successful. Potatoes not only contain carbs—which are broken down into a usable form of energy—they also contain the fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are essential to a healthy nutrition plan—and one that will help you lose weight and burn fat.
Keep in mind that most of the nutrients of the potato are in the skin so eat the skin too.
But what kind of potato is best? Although you can include any type of potato into your diet, there are some differences between your normal russet or Idaho potato, and sweet potato, or some fingerlings. Let’s take a closer look:
White Potatoes (Idaho, Russet, Yukon Golds)—like all potatoes, russets, Idaho, and Yukon gold potatoes are fat-free and contain a boatload of nutrients. They are a great source of fiber and vitamin B6. Not only do these potatoes keep your body fueled, but it could also keep you burning fat all day long.
Sweet Potatoes—just like white potatoes, sweet potatoes are a fat-free, cholesterol-free food that’s perfect for any nutrition plan. Not only does it contain plenty of fiber, but sweet potatoes are also a great source of iron, calcium, selenium, vitamin C, and B vitamins. The carbs found in sweet potatoes can help keep you feeling full, and provides a great source of fuel for the rest of your body.
Fingerling Potatoes—just like the other potatoes mentioned, fingerling potatoes contain the fiber, nutrients, and minerals your body needs to stay healthy. One main difference, however, is the color of the fingerling potatoes. Some may be red, purple, and white, meaning they pack a different antioxidant punch than the others.
There are a lot of diets that avoid certain foods—like potatoes—in order to help you boost your weight loss. If you love potatoes but have been avoiding them so you can lose weight, you don’t have to any longer. Potatoes, which are very nutritious and healthy, contain powerful nutrients for boosting your health and your weight loss.
Unless you’ve been told by a professional not to include potatoes in your nutrition plan, go ahead and eat them. Your body—and weight loss—will thank you for it.
IMPORTANT. Keep these 3 things in mind.
- Eat the skin of your potatoes – this is the main source of nutrients
- Bake or boil when cooking – NO fried potatoes. don’t ruin a good thing by adding FAT
- Portion size is still TOP of the list for losing weight. Eat them as a small compliment to a meal not as a large side dish or meal.