I have many reasons to be mad at diet culture. A big one: it came for my beloved potato.
No, you cannot replace my potatoes with cauliflower or sweet potatoes. These vegetables are delicious in their own way, but they’re not a substitute for regular potatoes. A balanced and varied diet has plenty of room for all of these. I think all those low carb diets and products have made many of us think that maybe white potatoes are not healthy. That’s simply not true.
Potatoes are full of fiber, potassium, and even vitamins B6 and C. They can be cooked in so many different ways, they’re satisfying and affordable. It is a good idea, however, to be mindful of the preparation. I will not say that you should never eat french fries. They are truly one of my favorite foods and there’s room for them in moderation. I do think that if I had french fries all the time I would not feel great. Some options that I am more comfortable eating more often are baked or roasted potatoes seasoned with lots of herbs or spices. Another go-to is adding them to soups. Keep the skins on to keep all the fiber.
It’s 2021 and we’re not letting diets (which don’t work anyway!) take potatoes and their nutrients away from us anymore.
Are there any other foods you’ve been surprised to hear are supposedly unhealthy? Send me an email, I’d love to hear from you!