Red potatoes vs. White potatoes

So I have been telling my clients that it is healthier to use red potatoes versus your generic white potato because I know in some ways it's healthier, but I decided to research their nutrient content to actually compare the difference health wise. I also want to challenge those obsessed with the Atkins diet and prove that the potato is an amazingly healthy vegetable and not some evil carb in french fries and potato chips.



What I found to be interesting is that the nutrient content of the red and white potato are generally similar, but the red potato is less starchy and more "waxy." This means that the red potato is better for using in potato salad and for boiling because it holds together much better.



I also found that potatoes are not only are a carb, but they can contain up to 7 grams of protein, which is awesome. However, it is said that the darker the veggie, the better because the skin is where most of the nutrients are, so when you peel the skin off a red potato, you are losing most of the nutrients. The skin is loaded with fiber and has a lower Glycemic index (lower ability to increase blood sugar rapidly) than the skin of a white potato. This helps the Diabetics and weight loss fanatics out there. As you can see from the graph above, the potato has a significant amount of nutrients that may surprise you. When people think Vit C, I'm sure their first guess wouldn't be a potato, it would probably be an orange. I also found a study that really surprised me and I wanted to share an excerpt from it.

"Potatoes' reputation as a high-carb, white starch has removed them from the meals of many a weight-conscious eater, but this stereotype is due for a significant overhaul. A new analytical method developed by Agricultural Research Service plant geneticist Roy Navarre has identified 60 different kinds of phytochemicals and vitamins in the skins and flesh of 100 wild and commercially grown potatoes. Analysis of Red and Norkotah potatoes revealed that these spuds' phenolic content rivals that of broccoli, spinach and Brussels sprouts, and includes flavonoids with protective activity against cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems and certain cancers. Navarre's team also identified potatoes with high levels of vitamin C, folic acid, quercetin and kukoamines. These last compounds, which have blood pressure lowering potential, have only been found in one other plant, Lycium chinense (a.k.a., wolfberry/gogi berry). How much kukoamine is needed for a blood pressure lowering effect in humans must be assessed before it can be determined whether an average portion of potatoes delivers enough to impact cardiovascular health. Still, potatoes' phytochemical profiles show it's time to shed their starch-only image; spuds-baked, steamed or healthy sautéed but not fried-deserve a place in your healthy way of eating."

Phytochemical Profilers Investigate Potato Benefits,"Agricultural Research, September 2007http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep07/potato0907.htm

So this basically says that red potatoes have phytochemicals that act as antioxidants and have nutrients that are associated with lowering blood pressure!!

To conclude, based on your cooking purposes and needs I fully recommend either white, red, golden or sweet potato either baked, boiled, mashed or sauteed (not fried) in moderation for a healthy addition to your diet.

Jamie Oliver update

I am writing about Jamie Oliver just to give an update on his show and how amazing it is.

So Jamie Oliver has entered one Huntington, WV elementary school and started cooking foods from scratch. These kids were very used to eating pizza for breakfast and only drinking strawberry or chocolate flavored milk, so this was a HUGE change. The kids obviously reacted negatively at first because its a change and they are just kids, so it takes time for a positive change to settle in. I don't think the adults in the school system realize that. They think that if the kids don't like it right away, then they never will. That's bs, and I think we all know that. One cook in the kitchen, named Alice, really hates Jamie and doesn't want him coming into her kitchen changing things that "don't need change." Rhonda, the USDA rep also is skeptical about Jamie's purpose. I guess the USDA has some bs regulations about having 2 carb sources at every meal and 1 cup of veggies, but french fries count as a veggie AND a carb. This is what America has turned into...

Jamie went into a Huntington, WV high school where he gathered 10 students that believed in his cause and wanted to help him in his kitchen that he opened up in the town. One girl said she has been struggling with her weight her entire life and was told that she has spots on her liver, giving her only 7 more years of life. It was really devastating to watch because every time she talked about it, she would just start crying and couldn't stop. Those kids all had interesting stories of why they chose to help Jamie and it gave the show a lot of substance.

Jamie also had an initial negative persona coming into town because of Rod Willis. The Dogg radio talk show host Rod Willis absolutely hated Jamie at first, but then Jamie kinda put it all in perspective for him by showing the harsh reality of obesity and what it does financially, emotionally and physically. Rod then bet Jamie that if he got 1,000 people to come into his kitchen and cook within 5 days, he would buy Jamie a beer. I don't know how Jamie did it, but he managed to get 1,000 people by day 5 and gained Rob's respect and friendship through it all. I was very impressed, but at the same time, it aaaalmost looked staged. Almost. Nevertheless, Jamie definitely impressed a lot of people.

One last thing I wanted to mention about the last episode was that Jamie convinced the high school to serve his wholesome made-from-scratch food along with having a separate line for french fries and processed crap. In choosing Jamie's line, this meant he would be able to convince Rhonda to let him continue the food revolution in other schools as well. The high schoolers were way more open minded since they hopped right into Jamie's line and no one wanted the stupid fries anymore. They actually had to replace that crap with Jamie's food, so he got to open up all 4 lines and everyone loved it. Rhonda was impressed, so he got the go-ahead to move onto other schools! Jamie's journey continues and the Food Revolution is spreading!

Does anyone want to go to West Virginia with me and help Jamie Oliver? I really want to go and meet him and tell him how he has truly made me excited about nutrition. People are starting to realize just how important it is now that food science has entered the dark side. Sooo, let's go!

Colorado Springs

For those of you who read my blog...I adore you because this is the biggest news I have so far; probably because I have been waiting for this moment for 5 years now. I got accepted to the Penrose-St. Francis Health Services Dietetic Internship in Colorado Springs, CO, which I believe starts end of August/early September, so YES! I get to play RIPUL! I am very excited to start my new journey in life. This move is exciting, but its also very intimidating and hard for me because I get very attached to the people in my life, so I will miss all my beloved friends and co-workers so very much. I do want everyone to either take a road trip to come see me or fly out to stay with me...either one, but I DO except visits! I will not pay for your plane ticket, but since I plan on applying for Food Stamps, I will feed you! I also think its awesome that I get to see Michelle, Kevin and Fred a lot more often! I also will be living at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and be amongst the UCCS students in the community, so I will meet plenty of new people and snowboard my face off every weekend! I believe I am 1 of 4-6 interns in the program, so I consider myself extremely lucky. Anyway, I will really miss all of you and I am going to savor my last summer in RI for awhile. Eeyalata!