If you’ve ever tried to lose weight before, you know that one of the things that you’re advised to stay away from is carbohydrates. But now, new research suggests that potatoes could actually facilitate weight loss. Researchers found that those who add potatoes to their meals tend to feel full faster.
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Spuds and weight loss
The starchy vegetables have previously received a bad rap for their link to increased risk of type two diabetes. In fact, people with insulin resistance have been cautioned to avoid them. However, a team of American researchers have found evidence to dispel these assertions. The scientists say potatoes are packed with important nutrients that make people feel full faster. Prof Candida Rebello, the study's co-investigator, from Pennington Biomedical Research Centre in Baton Rouge, Louisiana explained the findings:
Each participant's meal was tailored to their personalised calorific needs, yet by replacing some meat content with potato, participants found themselves fuller, quicker, and often did not even finish their meal. In effect, you can lose weight with little effort.
Potatoes vs beans
For the study, researchers recruited 36 participants aged between 18 and 60, overweight or had obesity or insulin resistance. They were given diets that included either beans, peas, and meat or fish, or white potatoes with meat or fish.
Those who ate potatoes lost 5.8 kg, on average, while those eating beans lost 4 kg, and both groups also saw an improvement in their insulin resistance. Prof Rebello said:
We demonstrated that contrary to common belief, potatoes do not negatively impact blood glucose levels. In fact, the individuals who participated in our study lost weight. People typically do not stick with a diet they don’t like or isn’t varied enough
The team however cautioned that chips, crisps and fried potatoes do not have the same nutritional value as cooked and baked potatoes for instance.
Sources used:
Telegraph: The common vegetable that could be key to losing weight
Mirror UK: Potatoes can help you lose weight - and may not raise diabetes risk, say scientists
