Potatoes are not the enemy

I invited myself over to my brother's house for dinner. His new wife is a personal trainer and has been helping me with a dietary plan that in conjunction with my walking will help shed these extra pounds. She recommended that I focus on my protein and vegetable intake and to avoid the simple non-beneficial carbohydrates. So imagine my dismay when on my plate was two pieces of deliciously seasoned organic free range chicken and about a 1/2 cup of roasted potatoes. Potatoes! That's a NO-NO! Isn't it?

I ate them of course and they were yummy, lightly seasoned with olive oil and fresh herbs. Yummy! Turns out potatoes are packed with heart-healthy vitamin C, potassium, and phenols like quercetin, and a significant source of chlorogenic acid, shown in some studies to defend against liver cancer.

Now, although many of the diets today are reporting potatoes to be a complete no-no. And, yes, you may want to cut back if you're concerned about blood sugar spikes. Just keep in mind that potatoes are also chock-full of over 30 phytochemicals and vitamins. A good portion to have is half of a baked potato with the skin on, so you benefit from the fiber, drizzle it with a little olive oil, salsa or a pepper relish on top to healthfully balance the glycemic load while still boosting the flavor.

So you see in moderation I can still enjoy a comfort food such as potatoes on occasion. I'll make sure to do some walking afterwards just as an added precaution against weight gain.

What do you think? Will you add potatoes back to your menu in moderation? Are you still walking with me?

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