Are Potatoes Good for Weight Loss?

In 1552-1618, the first potato plant was planted in Ireland by a British explorer and historian who was famous for his visits to America. He gave Queen Elizabeth I a potato plant as a gift.

The queen loved it so much that she invited the local gentry to a royal feast where potatoes were part of each course. Potatoes then became a must-have ingredient in the British kitchen.

In the 21st Century, the world’s most popular and nutrient-dense tuber vegetable is still the potato. Still, it is under-appreciated in the global food economy.

It appears that everyone mistrusts potatoes. Yet we enjoy consuming them in the least healthy manners, don’t we? We blame them for being unhealthy after eating dishes like french fries, potato chips, baked cheesy potatoes, mashed potatoes with cream, etc.

It’s not the potato that’s the problem. The issue lies with the way you cook it. A medium-sized potato has only around 100 calories. If your goal is to lose weight while still feeling satisfied, including potatoes in your diet can help you to reach your goal.

Additionally, since your body depends on the energy that comes from carbohydrates, you must eat them. But that’s not the end; there are plenty of reasons why you need to add potatoes to your weight loss diet.

Read on to unfold the myths.

Benefits of Adding Potatoes to Your Weight Loss Diet

1. Potatoes Prevent Overeating

They contain a good amount of fibre and resistant starch. It ensures that you stay satiated and full for longer, so you tend to eat less throughout the day. In addition, potatoes contain a compound known as proteinase inhibitor II, proven to help reduce hunger by slowing down digestion in the body.

2. They Can Boost Your Metabolism

Potatoes are also rich in polyphenols. It is no secret that antioxidants are good for you. These can break down sugars in your body faster, which may boost your metabolic rate too. 

3. Potatoes Contain Potassium

Potatoes contain a high amount of potassium. Potassium is good for weight loss because it helps with preventing water retention and can further any weight loss. 

The HealthifyMe Note

As a good source of fibre, potatoes can aid with weight loss by helping you feel fuller for longer. Antioxidants included in it also help to prevent several diseases. Additionally, incorporating potatoes into your diet can assist with controlling your weight.

Prepare Your Potatoes in a Healthy Way 

Potatoes are mainly associated with weight gain because of how we prepare them. For example, using oil to deep fry them or topping them with unhealthy ingredients is not suitable for those who want to lose weight. However, there are different ways to prepare potatoes that are advantageous for weight loss.

Avoid Frying and Unhealthy Accompaniments

An average serving of french fries has around 400 calories. Try to stick to baked, boiled, steamed or oven-baked potatoes. Avoid fatty toppings like cheese, sour cream, bacon, etc. Instead, opt for roasted or grilled vegetables, curd dip, and low-fat cheese if you want some. 

Control Your Portions

If you’re attempting to lose weight, it is vital to monitor whether you’re taking in more calories than you’re expending. In other words, you will gain weight even if you prepare your potatoes properly but don’t limit how much you eat. Therefore, maintain appropriate portion sizes.

Eat the Skin

The majority of the fibre in potatoes is in the skin. A single medium-sized potato can provide about 7% of your daily fibre needs. So leave the skin on, give it a good wash, and enjoy!

The HealthifyMe Note

Boiled potatoes are the perfect way to eat potatoes. It is simple and humble; one can include it in lunch or dinner. Just boil a potato and season with salt and pepper. You can also add a dash of spices of your liking. 

The Perfect Potato Recipes for Weight Loss

1. Potato Wedges

Servings-2

Preparation time- 12 minutes

Ingredients

• Medium parboiled potatoes, cut into wedges: 2
• Extra virgin olive oil: 2 tbsp
• Cumin powder: 1 tsp
• Chilli flakes: 1 tsp
• Jalapeno, diced: ½ 

Method

• Toss the potato wedges with the oil, cumin, and chilli flakes. 
• Preheat the air fryer to 180 degrees celsius for 2 minutes. 
• Line the basket with aluminium foil and put in the wedges to cook. 
• Let it cook for 8-10 minutes until crispy. 
• Top with the diced jalapenos and some chopped parsley. 

2. Potato Salad

Servings-2-4

Preparation time- 10 minutes

Ingredients 

• Small fingerling potatoes: 500 g
• Salt: 1 tbsp
• Baby spinach, chopped: 2 cups
• Spring onion, chopped: ¼ cup
• Small tomatoes, diced: 4
• Fresh parsley, chopped: 1 tbsp
• Fresh mint, chopped: 1 tbsp 
• Red wine vinegar: ¼ cup
• Dijon mustard: 2 tsp
• Honey: 1 tsp
• Sea salt: ½ tsp
• Black pepper: To taste
• Olive oil: 2 tbsp

Method

• Boil the potatoes after adding the salt to the water.
• Once drained and cooled, cut into halves. 
• Place the cut potatoes into a bowl with spinach, spring onion, tomatoes, parsley, and mint. 
• Mix the rest of the ingredients in another bowl to make the salad dressing. 
• Once you have reached your desired taste, mix to coat the potatoes with the sauce and serve. 

3. Potato Poha

Servings-3-4

Preparation time- 20 minutes

Ingredients 

• Poha: 2 cups
• Potatoes: 2 (boiled and cubed)
• Green peas: ¼ cup (steamed)
• Mustard seeds: ½ tsp
• Curry leaves: 1 sprig
• Onion: 2 (chopped)
• Chillies: 2 (chopped)
• Turmeric powder: ½ tsp
• Asafoetida: ¼ tsp
• Lemons juice: 2 tbsp
• Olive oil: 2 tbsp
• Salt: to taste

Method

• Rinse the poha under cold water and drain any excess water. Transfer the rinsed rice to a large bowl; stir in the turmeric salt and asafoetida, and keep aside. 
• Heat oil in a pan. Allow the mustard seeds to crackle. Stir onion, curry leaves, and green chillies and saute till tender. Now put the potatoes and cook them for a couple of minutes. 
• Once done, add the flattened rice or poha to the pan.
• Sprinkle 3-tablespoons of water and mix well. 
• Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook for 4-5 minutes.
• You will notice that the rice has fluffed up a little. Garnish it with steamed peas and a squeeze of lemon juice. Let it sit in the pan for another 1-2 minutes. 
• Serve the potato poha. 

Conclusion

Potatoes are not detrimental to weight loss when consumed appropriately. It is how you cook them that affects your weight. They contain significantly more starch than other vegetables; as a result, reputable dietitians advice limiting intake to one medium-sized potato, or around 100 grams, per day.

In addition, it has zero grams of fat, sodium, or cholesterol and plenty of vital nutrients and minerals—all solid reasons to incorporate them into your diet.

You can have one potato each day if you don’t deep fry them, eat them with cream and cheese, or cook them in unhealthy ways. Instead, boil them, add slices to a vegetable sandwich or salad, use them in poha, or bake one to savour their creamy deliciousness with salt, pepper, and lime. Simply eating one won’t make you look like one. Promise!