As I was roasting some sweet potatoes last night in a bed of chopped onions, I came to the realization that we simply don't give potatoes much love anymore, do we? Ever since the health conscious become obsessed with starving themselves on high protein, low carb diets, the good ol' potato got the boot. But what these high-protein lovers forgot to mention was they had fewer than 3 (if that) bowel movements per week due to lack of fiber and were dumb (sorry) as a stump, due to lack of glucose from carbohydrates -- the primary fuel source for your brain. Don't feel bad, I've done my share of ridiculous diets too.
So I decided that I need to write a little post about potatoes. Someone's gotta do it, otherwise the gossip-mongering potato haters will keep you thinking that taters make you fat and are full of sugar.
Here's the deal. Potatoes are naturally higher on the glycemic index than other fruits and veggies. <Side note: The glycemic index measures the speed at which sugar in food causes your blood sugar to spike.> However, chromium, a mineral found in the SKIN of potatoes is incredible for balancing blood sugar. It enhances the action of insulin which carries glucose into the cell to be used as energy. (More detailed description here). BINGO! Case in point:
White potato no skin: 98 on the G.I. scale (glucose is 100)
White potato WITH skin: 69
Don't you just love how nature makes perfect sense? GASP! It's not the potato that's to blame, it's the processing. The truth is, most people are not eating a potato with it's skin. The average person is eating french fries and mashed potatoes which equates to a lovely dose of blood sugar and unhealthy fats. Excess sugar in the blood stream, if not used for energy (and most of us have too much of it) gets stored as FAT.
So, next time you eat potatoes, make sure you buy them organic and eat the skin! Best choices are sweet potatoes (yams) and red potatoes.
Thank you for the info on potatoes. I like to bake the potatoes, cut up, skin on, with some carrots and onions. What spices would you recommend to use on that mixture when they are baking?
ReplyLOVE this question... so many options! I like to keep it simple... freshly cracked black pepper and a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg with some melted organic butter.
The first time I met my husband's (then boyfriend's) mom was when she made dinner for us at her house. It included some really scrumptious baked potatoes. Halfway through eating the potato I looked around and noticed that nobody else was eating the skin! Just as I started to question whether or not I should stop eating the skin too his mom yells at me and says "Don't eat the potato skins!!" ... it was extremely awkward for me and I was left slightly scarred by the situation. I didn't know that people actually DON'T eat potato skins! That's the tastiest part!
ReplyI agree completely Samantha - I see people do this all the time. Same thing with roasting beets - eat the skin! I love the skins. Just make sure you are eating organic potatoes because they are pretty highly sprayed with pesticides when you purchase them conventionally farmed.
One more post on my favorite food :) ... I love love love backed potatoes .. of course with skin and organic. Such a comfort food in Sunday brunch :) Try it little sauteed in organic butter with cumin seeds/ roasted cumin seeds powder ... yumm! Thank you thank you thank you Joy for nutritional info .. I can eat it without guilt now :)
ReplyMy pleasure Drashi. I agree, total comfort food especially when the weather is as cold as it is in Toronto. I love your idea - love cumin. Have a wonderful day :)
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