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"Potatoes' Phytochemicals Rival Those in Broccoli

Potatoes' reputation as a high-carb, white starch has removed them from the meals of many a weight-conscious eater, but this stereotype is due for a significant overhaul. A new analytical method developed by Agricultural Research Service plant geneticist Roy Navarre has identified 60 different kinds of phytochemicals and vitamins in the skins and flesh of 100 wild and commercially grown potatoes. Analysis of Red and Norkotah potatoes revealed that these spuds' phenolic content rivals that of broccoli, spinach and Brussels sprouts, and includes flavonoids with protective activity against cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems and certain cancers. Navarre's team also identified potatoes with high levels of vitamin C, folic acid, quercetin and kukoamines. These last compounds, which have blood pressure lowering potential, have only been found in one other plant, Lycium chinense (a.k.a., wolfberry/gogi berry). How much kukoamine is needed for a blood pressure lowering effect in humans must be assessed before it can be determined whether an average portion of potatoes delivers enough to impact cardiovascular health. Still, potatoes' phytochemical profiles show it's time to shed their starch-only image; spuds-baked, steamed or healthy sautéed but not fried-deserve a place in your healthy way of eating."Phytochemical Profilers Investigate Potato Benefits,"Agricultural Research, September 2007"

http://whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=48

A pity that phytochemical content doesn't do anything to ameliorate the potato's glycemic index.

Woohoo! I don't have to feel guilty about eating potatoes! Thanks for sharing this info!++++

Satyricon331 saidA pity that phytochemical content doesn't do anything to ameliorate the potato's glycemic index.

Do I have to tell you everything? ...

"Blood Sugar Control

Seasoning a high carb food with cinnamon can help lessen its impact on your blood sugar levels. Cinnamon slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating. Researchers measured how quickly the stomach emptied after 14 healthy subjects ate 300 grams (1.2 cups) of rice pudding alone or seasoned with 6 grams (1.2 teaspoons) of cinnamon. Adding cinnamon to the rice pudding lowered the gastric emptying rate from 37% to 34.5% and significantly lessened the rise in blood sugar levels after eating. Am J Clin Nutr. 2 007 Jun;85(6):1552-6."

http://whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=68

so you're saying to season our potatoes with cinnamon?

OR

have a delicious cinnamon sticky bun before having the potato?

might defeat the purpose ;-)

Adding fat, such as olive oil or butter, does much the same thing, but it just makes an ultra-high GI food a high GI food.

but, whatever floats your boat!

It's not always a bad thing to raise your blood sugar by eating certain foods. However, one must be strategic in the approach. First off, be wary of how many grams of carbohydrates you're eating. Secondly, don't eat foods that are high in fat along with starchy carbs. Even though fat can slow the rate of starchy carb absorption once your insulin levels go up you will shuttle any fat consumed along this meal to your fat stores. And ladies, you know you don't want that!!
A better way to eat a starchy carb is to combine it with a more complex carb. This helps to slow down the absorption rate as well. Plus, have some protein with the starch so when your insulin levels do increase the protein that you consume more readily gets transported to your muscles and that's what we all want. Well fed muscles. A well fed muscle with adequate protein will grow faster from gym workouts and be stronger.
Just keep it simple, girls. There's a time to stimulate insulin for a variety of reasons. Other good ideas to remember are to not eat starches before bedtime, unless you plan on doing a triathlon the next morning/day.
Best times to eat starchy foods is early in the day, before and definitely after workouts. You want to supply the muscles with adequate glycogen stores for energy in workouts and to replace them after a strenuous balls to the walls workout.

Fats are healthy to consume, of course. I take about 4TBSPN of fat from sources like coconut oil, olive oil, cashew butter. However, I eat them with protein or vegetables as to not spike my insulin.

So...what have we learned ladies?
A well fed muscle with adequate glycogen stores is a happy full and easily pumped muscle ready for action!

YOU BETTAH WURK!!

SDN8 saidso you're saying to season our potatoes with cinnamon?

Did I hear someone of less than 213 posts address me??? ...

J/K ...

I have never tried potatoes with cinnamon. The combination might be good.

But, just like you dont eat broccoli every night, so i wouldnt expect you to eat potatoes every night. You would fit them into your diet.



There are times when it just doesnt seem worth the while to try to help some folks. ....

Caslon4000 said[quote][cite]SDN8 said[/cite]so you're saying to season our potatoes with cinnamon?

Did I hear someone of less than 213 posts address me??? ...

J/K ... [/quote]

Talk about harsh! LOL!

The BF was showing me your initial post last night...I think it's awesome! I love me mah po-tay-toes!

Carlson4000 - I was going to keep my mouth shut but I thought...what the hell! We can't all be forum whore like you. LOL! Just Jokes!

Nice. It's about time someone stuck up for the humble potato.

I still hold out hope that some day, people will quit construing specific foods (especially those which, at several points in history, sustained entire populations) as the root of all evil and will instead (gasp!) base their diet on a wide variety of foods, in sensible portions.

That's the difference. When you use words like "sustain" you are referring to people who historically ate a lot less than what our fat asses do in these current times.

You could eat a diet with foods that have a high glycemic index any time of the day so long as you ate the modest amounts that our ancestors did. Meanwhile you wash your own clothes by hand, till the ground to harvest your own crops, work like a dog to sustain your mediocre quality of life.
It's no reason why we're so much fatter now when most people simply work behind a desk and order fast food service everyday. The most effort we put forth nowadays is by looking for the phone number to these joints on speed dial on our cell phones.

This isn't brain surgery, people! Now...who wants to snuggle me!?

SDN8 saidso you're saying to season our potatoes with cinnamon?

I am having steamed potatoes with just a touch of cinnamon....and salt and pepper...boy, they are gooooood!!! Thanks for the suggestion!