Potato has always been a dieter’s worst nightmare. This simple spud always creep in to top 10 list of food items one should avoid while trying to lose weight. That is until now. A new research has proved that potatoes can be consumed and people can still lose weight. Amazing huh?! Research released by the University of California, Davis and the National Center for Food Safety and Technology, Illinois Institute of Technology revealed that people can eat potatoes and still shed weight in process. This breakthrough research was showcased at the Obesity Society’s 28th Annual Scientific Meeting October 8-12, 2010.
Potatoes have always been infamous because of its perceived high glycemic index. The study was aimed at gaining better insight between potatoes and the glycemic index in Weight Loss.
One researcher associated with the study, Dr. Britt Burton-Freeman, PhD, MS said “The results of this study confirm what health professionals and nutrition experts have said for years; when it comes to Weight Loss, it is not about eliminating a certain food or food groups, rather, it is reducing calories that count”. He further stressed that “There is no evidence that potatoes, when prepared in a healthful manner, contribute to weight gain. In fact, we are seeing that they can be part of a weight loss programme”.
The study involved 86 overweight men and women over the course of 12 weeks to assess the effects of a reduced-calorie modified glycemic index diet with the addition of potatoes. The subjects were randomly divided in to three groups and each had a diet that included five to seven servings of potatoes per week. The results showed weight loss in all three groups.
One group was given a food items with a low glycemic index (LGI) in their daily diet. The second group was HGI food items to include in their diet daily. Their daily calories intake was reduced by 500 calories for both groups while also consuming five to seven servings of potatoes each week. All participants in the study were guided and monitored for compliance by a dietician to only eat foods instructed or similar foods along with the provided potatoes.
Participants in the third group which was the “control group” – were allowed to choose their daily meals and caloric intake on their own, but were encouraged to adhere to the U.S. dietary guidelines and the food guide pyramid. The only requirement of this group was to include five to seven servings of potatoes each week like the other two groups.
All participants were provided food recipes and counseled accordingly for successful dietary adherence. The results demonstrated that all three groups lost weight and there was no considerable difference in weight lost between the two groups which adhered to low and high glycemic index foods.
This news is sure to please all foodies who love their potatoes. This health spud is boasts of many benefits like, one medium-size (5.3 ounce) skin-on potato contains just 110 calories per serving, has more potassium (620g) than a banana, provides almost half the daily value of vitamin C (45 per cent), and contains no fat, sodium or cholesterol.
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