We are starting our 3rd week of OWL, and my dad is begging for potatoes. We are eating about 30g of carbs a day. Is it ok for him to have a small potato (10g carbs), if it does not put him over 30g for the day?

Started 12/19/2003

160/152/130
147 by Feb.14, 2004

Have you tried the Mock Mashed Potatoes? They taste really similar to "real" mashed potatoes, and are still on plan. Or maybe buy some turnips, and peel and slice them and make AuGratin "potatoes" Turnips also make good fries.

400/335/200

Personally, I think it's a YMMV thing (your mileage may vary) - for me, if I eat potato, then I'm on the prowl for something else to eat shortly thereafter. It is very high on the glycemic list, meaning it will spike your blood sugars, then cause an insulin "crash" a while later, spurring your body to crave MORE sugars (which is what the potato breaks into once you eat it) - so I avoid them, even if I can "afford" the carbs.

Maybe your Dad doesn't have that reaction to them.

Eating them with plenty of protein and fat at the same time will help reduce that effect. Also, eating a small red potato is less glycemically reactive than a baker potato - the red potato is not as starchy.

So, maybe he'll want to try it, and see if it causes him to crave. If so, he'll be happy to avoid them after that!

Char

Don't squat with yer spurs on!

I agree with Char, approach with caution. Why not opt for a sweet potato, better fiber, nutrients, etc.

If Dad really, really wants that potato, advise him to eat one small serving, with ample protein. Plan ahead for the carbs. Monitor for cravings afterward. Eat the very small potatoes, use peelings.

Take care~
Susan

LCE Member since 01/02

There's also the turnip option.
I just posted the recipe in the cooking forum for turnip hash browns.



Always eat your veggies first!
LCE member since March 2002

Potatoes are a bad idea due to their high glycemic index. Other options are (as mentioned) the Cauliflower potatoes (marcielynn's recepie is very popular, and I am going to try it sometime this week) or Keto potatoes.

I know everyone recomends avoiding those synthetic substitutes, but as soon as I saw it, it was something I had to try at least once. I have to admit, they did taste just like regular potatoes. It might be something to consider as a last resort. IMHO it is better to have one of those synthetic substitutes than to break your diet, but YMMV.

Started on 9/20/03
235-->190; 150 goal

Yeah, potatoes are a very bad idea.

If you think about it, potatoes are a very bland food. When people say they miss it, it's the carb-rush they miss, not the taste. Potatoes will cause a higher insulin rush than pure table sugar. That's a fact. I don't think they are compatible with low-carbing at all.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

According to the USDA, a small potato (about 2" in diameter) with skin has 30 gms of carbs, of which 4 are fiber, giving you a net carb count of 26 gms.

To get a potato with a net 10 carb count, you've got to be talking about a very, VERY small potato.

Even then, as everyone has pointed out, you're talking about a vegetable with a very high glycemic.

Maggie
5'1" ~~ Atkins since '98 (160+)
Maintaining nicely (110 +/-)
~~ Redhead until further notice!

I have a book called "The Low Carb Cookbook" and they recommend (if you are REALLY jonesing for a potato) to bake it, cut it in half, scoop OUT the inside, fill the shell w/stuff that's allowed, and either nuke it or just eat it. I tried it once and I loved it.

Started Again! 12/30/03
205/194/180 goal

How about celery root? I peel it, boil it, then put it in the food processor with cream, butter and salt. My family loves this - even the kids.

Kristie

Just what I did, Amy. Early on in OWL.

Skin & fixins is the part I love best anyway!

Once I realized that I could have it, I stopped jonesing. Now I have a half an "empty" baked potato maybe twice a year, since it rarely crosses my mind.

Maggie
5'1" ~~ Atkins since '98 (160+)
Maintaining nicely (110 +/-)
~~ Redhead until further notice!

jul, here's a take on faux hashbrowns.


Caulibrowns

Take care~
Susan

LCE Member since 01/02