Are All Potatoes Live Lean Approved? #BeholdPotatoes

Why You Should Be Fueling Your Body With Potatoes:

Give me a double bicep flex if you’ve ever heard that potatoes are bad for you.

Yep, just what I thought.

You’re probably looking like Hulk Hogan right now.

So, the question is…

Why have potatoes, especially white potatoes, gotten such a bad reputation in the health and fitness community?

Are all potatoes Live Lean Approved?

Well if you’re a headline reader…

You’ve Probably Heard of these Two Reasons:

#1. Potatoes are high in calories

#2. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates

Well to be honest, those reasons are just lazy, misleading, and provide little context to the overall picture.

Just Because Potatoes are “Higher” in Calories and Carbohydrates it DOES NOT Mean…

…they are bad for you.

Yes, potatoes may be higher than other vegetables like spinach, kale, red peppers, and arugula.

But the calories and carbohydrates from potatoes, when combined with an active lifestyle, also serve another purpose.

Potatoes = Performance

Ok, I feel a rant coming on.

Calories and Carbohydrates are Fuel People!

Let me be clear.

The goal of Living Lean is NOT to eat less calories and go as low carb as possible.

From a nutrition point, the goal is to find the balance of matching your energy expenditure with the right amount of calories, in the right proportions of protein, carbohydrates, and fat (i.e. macronutrients).

For instance, if you’re more active, your body requires a higher intake of calories and carbohydrates to fuel your activity level.

If you sit at a desk all day, then go home and sit on the couch all night, you’re not as active.

Therefore your body does NOT require as many calories and carbohydrates.

But since you’re reading this, I take it you’re on a journey to improve your health and fitness.

So if that’s the case…

Potatoes are our Recommended Source of Carbohydrate Fuel for Performance

When it comes to carbohydrates, potatoes, along with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are my go-to choices.

I’ll add potatoes to my post-workout plate well before adding rice, grains, pasta, or legumes as they’re higher in most essential vitamins and nutrients.

Here’s why I love potatoes:

They’re a natural, one ingredient foods, that comes from the earth. No funny stuff.
They’re so versatile. I love using potatoes to make potato hash browns (see recipe below), homemade fries, pasta, chips, and pancakes.
There are so many different potato variations that you’ll never get bored of the same delicious flavor.
They’re a nutrient dense complex carbohydrate filled with energy to help me perform at my best in the gym and on the sports field.
They’re high in potassium (more than bananas) which is an important electrolyte as well as a good source of the metabolism friendly Vitamin B6.

If You’re Active in Life…

…you must eat a balanced diet, including healthy forms of carbohydrates like potatoes, to perform, repair, grow, and recover.

And by activity, I’m referring to:

Hitting the gym to lift weights
Performing bodyweight workouts at home
Sprinting at the track
Playing sports
Or simply going for long walks with your dog

As long as you’re moving your limbs, you’re burning energy for fuel.

Whatever your fitness goal may be, as long as the amount of potatoes you’re consuming fits into your calorie and macronutrient requirements, you’re gold!

But Lets Talk About Portion Control

Regardless of what foods or the macronutrient breakdown of that food…

…if you over eat it…

…meaning you consume more calories than your body needs…

You’re at a risk for adding body fat.

The Law of Thermodynamics Applies to:

Protein…

Fat…

…and Carbohydrates.

So to ensure you’re eating within your nutrition requirements, consider measuring your food for the next 7 days to get a better idea of portion control.

Potatoes, just like cuts of meat, fruits, and avocados, all come in many different sizes.

Just because it’s one potato, it doesn’t mean it’s one serving size.

Typically a medium potato is 5.3 ounces, which provides 26g of carbohydrates and a whopping 620mg of potassium (skin on).

Once again eat within your energy needs, and you’ll do just fine.

Potatoes for the win!

Now for the good stuff.

Here’s one of my favorite post workout homemade potato hash brown recipes.

Add these healthy potato hash browns to a plate with a chicken breast and side salad for the ultimate post-workout fuel!

HEALTHY POTATO HASH BROWN RECIPE

(Makes 4 Servings)

Ingredients:

– 1 lbs diced red potatoes

– 2 cups diced yellow, red, and orange bell peppers

– 1 diced medium onion

– 1 diced garlic clove

– 1 tbsp avocado oil

– dash of salt and pepper

Directions:

Add diced red potatoes to a pot of boiling water and boil for 10 minutes.
Sauté diced peppers, onions, and garlic in a heated pan with avocado oil for 6-8 minutes.
After the potatoes are finished boiling, stir in the red potatoes, mix it all together, and add a dash of salt and pepper.
Enjoy.

Check out Potatoes USA if you want to learn more about how to use potatoes for fitness fuel.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Potatoes USA. The opinions and text are all mine.

Brad Gouthro

Brad Gouthro is the founder of Live Lean TV, a media company focused on helping men and women “Live Lean” 365 days a year. Brad’s programs and content have helped millions of people all over the world learn how to get in shape, and more importantly, sustain it for life.

www.liveleantv.com