Benefits and risks of a diet based on potatoes

• April 24, 2024

Chris Voigt , director of the Commission for the potato of the state of Washington, was given the task of changing his diet in the last two months, to base it solely on potatoes, in all possible presentations. This, which to the naked eye may seem crazy, is due to an attempt to demystify the bad reputation that this tuber has to contain high amounts of carbohydrates of starch, when in fact "they are a surprising source of several vitamins Y minerals . However, when we eat only potatoes, we are not getting all the nutrients we need for good health, "he says. Fiona Hunter , nutritionist.

 Crazy diet

The specialists warn that, due to the little balance in nutrients What the body requires, Voigt could have consequences, such as excessive weight gain and loss of energy.

Contrary to these predictions, Voigt says he has lost at least 8 kilograms and, far from what specialists say, he feels physically optimal . In addition, he has achieved a saving in the monthly food expense since he can feed himself with 15 dollars a week. Viogt himself points out:

"Physically I feel sensational, with a lot of energy, good sleep at night and I have not had any rare side effects," says Voigt.

"I'm not encouraging anyone to submit to this crazy diet, nor would my doctor, this diet was only made to remind people that there are many nutrients in a potato."

"My doctor is very interested in seeing the final results and I suspect that I will be fine at the end of the 60 days." Variety is needed

Variety is needed

Although another nutritionist, Sue Todd , does not recommend carrying out a diet of this type, notes that Voigt has achieved unexpected results mainly because I was in good health when I started it .

"Long-distance sailors used to suffer scurvy because they ate mainly grain starches, which did not contain vitamin C . Potatoes are a decent source of vitamin C, although they do not have high levels of it. "

"Depending on how a diet is restricted, the loss of some vitamins affects the person more than the loss of others." Variety is really important to obtain the nutrients that our body needs, "says the expert.

Something good in the diet of potatoes, he adds, is that it is low in fat, and by eating a good proportion of potatoes with peel fiber is consumed that reduces the risk of a side effect associated with restricted diets: constipation.

But a potato diet offers no calcium or omega 3 - the essential fatty acid for the brain and cardiovascular function - necessary for good health, explains Fiona Hunter.

"The body needs 40 nutrients to function and a single food can not offer all these compounds, that's why nutrition recommendations from health authorities emphasize that we need to consume a variety of foods ".

"The diet only potatoes will be deficient in vitamins A, E and K, minerals, calcium and selenium, essential fatty acids, proteins and fibers, "adds the expert.

"And although it can offer enough iron for a man, it can not offer enough for a woman."

And returning Voigt, what do you plan to eat once you finish your potato regime?

"I think my first meal will be a beef taco with a lot of chili, a glass of milk, an apple pie and yes, baked potatoes."

Source: BBC World  

Video Medicine: The Benefits of Sweet Potatoes (April 2024).