potatoes

[gianetta]

Apparently it is still scandalous to say that a particular food is bad for you.  No, eating dessert every once in awhile will not kill you, but there's evidence suggesting that eating it regularly might. (see Gary Taubes's books

Comments

[eleanors_closet]

I'm doing some research into the history of potatoes. Odd, I know, but doing living history for a turning-point in time leads to interesting research

[gianetta]

I agree completely. The research shows that people who are doing enough physical work to burn off the carbs or who don't have enough calories in general (e.g., poor people in Asian countries that eat a lot of rice) don't suffer the same ill effects from eating rice or potatoes. 18-year-old athletes can drink gallons of Mountain Dew and do just fine, but Jen sitting on her butt from 6am to 8:30pm (with a few bathroom breaks) doesn't do so well when her diet is mostly carbs and caffeine. The problem arises when the USDA issues recommendations that are based on exceptions (you can eat most anything you want if you're digging ditches or swimming laps all day) and don't work for the vast majority of Americans.

[dragonazure]

I think I've mentioned it before, but the rule of thumb at our house is to minimize or say "no" to all "white foods". Meaning: sugar, bread, potatoes, rice, wheat. that eliminates the vast majority of wheats, corns, and grains.

Salt is tht only exception.

[nej28]

You must have become a fan of Greek yogurt then.. I love plain gy with strawberries. Had that every morning this week!

[gianetta]

Yep - I have liked Greek yogurt for a couple of years, but I am in love since discovering the 2% stuff. I eat it several times a day sometimes.