New Delhi: National Potato Day is celebrated every year on August 19th, with the aim of recognizing the importance of potatoes and raising awareness about their uses and health benefits. Potatoes are one of the most widely consumed vegetables worldwide. They are commonly associated with weight gain because of their high carbohydrate and calorie content. This is why people trying to lose weight often remove them from their diet. However, experts believe that if potatoes are cooked properly and eaten in moderation, they can also be helpful in weight loss.
Nutritional Properties of Potatoes
Potatoes are a nutrient-rich vegetable containing natural carbohydrates, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, protein, antioxidants, and a small amount of iron. The protein and fiber present in them are beneficial for those looking to gain weight, while when cooked properly and consumed in moderation, they can also be useful for those who want to lose weight.
What is the Potato Diet?
According to a Healthline report, the Potato Diet has been quite popular for weight loss, also known as the Potato Hack. It is a short-term diet that advises eating only plain potatoes for 3 to 5 days. It originated in 1849, but Tim Steele is credited with popularizing it after writing the book "Potato Hack: Weight Loss Simplified." He claims that potatoes help in weight loss, strengthen the immune system, and improve gut health.
Weight Loss Claims and Reality
According to reports, famous magician Penn Jillette mentioned in his book "Presto! How I Made Over 100 Pounds Disappear" that he lost about 8 kg (approximately 17.6 pounds) by eating only plain potatoes for the first two weeks. However, despite such claims, no scientific research has yet proven that the potato diet is an effective way to lose weight in the long term.
Rules of the Potato Diet
This diet recommends eating only boiled or plain potatoes, ranging from 0.9 to 2.3 kg (approximately 2 to 5 pounds), daily for 3 to 5 days. It does not allow any kind of condiments or toppings such as butter, cheese, ketchup, or sour cream. A little salt can be used, but in limited quantities. Along with this, one can drink water, tea, and black coffee, and light exercise or walking is recommended.
