The Doctor's Diet: Dr. Travis Stork's STAT Program to Help You Lose Weight & Restore Your Health (23 page)
Authors: Travis Stork
Q: SHOULD I AVOID WHITE POTATOES BECAUSE OF THEIR HIGH STARCH CONTENT?
A:
You can have them occasionally, because they do contain nutrients (they are a great source of potassium). But in general, white potatoes are similar to white bread, white rice, and other “white” foods that are converted to glucose very quickly and raise blood sugar. If you’re hankering for potatoes, have a small
amount, choose baked rather than fried (often fried potatoes are cooked with trans fats), and make sure to pair them with foods that contain protein, fiber, and healthy fats, which will help offset their effect on your blood sugar. Or choose colorful potatoes (purple, for example), whose bright colors deliver a dose of antioxidants.
WHOLE GRAINS
Whole grains are grains that have not had their fibrous or nutritious parts removed. Some kinds of whole grains include:
Barley
Brown rice
Buckwheat
Bulgur
Corn
Millet
Oats/oatmeal
Popcorn (choose air-popped without additives)
Quinoa
Rye
Triticale
Whole wheat
Wild rice
So many people have said so many bad things about carbs lately, but as you can see, there’s no reason to give them up. In fact, you can make carbohydrates work for you, giving them a major position on your weight-loss team. The trick is to eat the right kinds of carbs—and now you know which ones will do the most heavy lifting for you.