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Real Life Nutrition Questions Answered

Real Life Fitness Questions Answered

Emma Brown
Nutritionist

Janet Aylott
Nutritionist

Kelly Marshall
Fitness Consultant

Q.

Are the carbs in potato good or bad?

Hi there, Is the humble potato classified as a simple or complex carb?? What effect would eating more or less have on weight loss assuming calorie intake and output remain the same? Thanks.

A.

Our expert says...

Hi there,

Thank you for your very interesting question.

The humble potato has had a bad time over the years, but it’s not a bad food! The potato is actually classed as a starchy carbohydrate, and therefore a complex carbohydrate. However, we also know that different types of potato are handled in different ways by the body. A standard white potato, in actual fact, has a relatively high glycaemic index which means that it is digested and absorbed relatively quickly, and has quite an effect on blood sugar levels.

In contrast, if you were to eat a potato with the skin on, the GI value of the potato decreases and the potato will take longer to digest.

Eating potatoes within your calorie allowance should have no added effect on weight loss as long as they are part of an overall healthy and balanced diet. If you can, always choose to eat the potato with the skin on (Baked or new potatoes), and choose how you cook them carefully (i.e roasting with lard, or mashing with butter will add extra calories).

Swapping potato for sweet potatoes on the odd occasion is also a good move – sweet potatoes have a lower GI value plus they are classified as a vegetable so you’ll be getting additional nutrients from them that you won’t get from normal potatoes.

I hope this helps to answer your question, and sorry if it is a little confusing! Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch should you need any further help.

Many thanks

Janet :)

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