motd Saturday Feb 11, 2012 - Potatoes

[Guest guest]

THE SPUD'S NO

DUD!

Saturday, 11 February 2012

Not when it comes to your weight-loss

efforts! Oh, so many people put a big "X" on the

potato when they decide to begin working to lose

weight. But my question is...why? Potatoes

are actually one of the more nutritious foods around

and have been

around for

a long, long time. Like rice, which we talked about a

couple of weeks ago, potatoes are one of those healthy

good-for-our-body starches.

A single, small baked

potato contains only about 100 calories.

Potatoes are naturally low in calories. A single,

small baked potato contains only about 100 calories.

That baked potato, unadorned with all of the

"fixings," (we'll get to that part later), is high in

fiber, has plenty of vitamins, potassium and offers

significant protection against cardiovascular diseases

and even cancer. So, why do so many people cross the

potato from their healthy foods list? Well, it's those

fixings I talked about that give the potato a

bad name.

I don't think I even have to tell you.

But way-too-many Americans, unfortunately, get their

potatoes in the form of greasy French fries from some

fast food restaurant. That frying process can double

or even triple the number of calories in your potato,

not to mention the amount of fat frying adds to those

innocent little spuds!

We take our baked potatoes

from being a nutritional "saint-to-sinner."

Baked is better, right? Well, of course it is. But

then some of us take our baked potatoes from being a

nutritional "saint-to-sinner" with them, too! We

split our potatoes in half, stab some butter or

margarine in the center, toss on a "heavy" coupla

tablespoons of sour cream, add some grated cheddar

cheese, bacon bits...wait! What's that I

hear? Oh, it's the sound of those calories and fat

grams adding up. Stop

it!

May I tell you something? When it comes to losing

weight, the potato is perfect for your food plan.

It's just that you've got to enjoy your potato without

adding all of those high calorie & high fat

extras.

On your FoodMover, one small potato

equals one serving. Personally, I like my potatoes

plainer, without all of the add-ons. But if you want

to jazz up your baked potato a bit, how's about a

few sprays of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and a

little dollop of plain Greek yougurt. Mmmm, you'll

get the taste and creamy mouthfeel of butter &

sour cream without adding the calories. Having it

that way, you'll still be reaping the health benefits

of one of America's most under appreciated vegetables,

the potato.

Enjoy those good-for-you

potatoes.

So go ahead, enjoy those good-for-you potatoes. Just keep 'em

good by not adding all of the extras you know aren't friends

to your weight-loss program. Okay, let's hear it for

the potato...

This spud's for you!

Love,