Nutrition question regarding special dietary needs

[GON]

If a person could give up one-- grains or potatoes, which one better to give up?

Currently in an environment where eating baked grains and potatoes are a safer bet to reduce persistent exposure to food borne pathogens that are present. I don't have the option to cook, all meals must be eaten at restaurants.

Concern is the reported risk to health eating increased quantities of grains and potatoes for most meals every day.

Question is, is one (cooked grains or potatoes) less dangerous for health concerns over the other?

 

[dnewton3]

Refined grains vs. starches in potatoes really don't make a lot of difference, as they both spike the glycemic index fairly high.

 

[Zee09]

If you have issues with gluten potatoes are better... The Irish lived off of potatoes and did pretty well...

 

[MRC01]

The main problem is eating at restaurants. It's hard to find whole grains, most are highly processed, potatoes are usually peeled (no skins), and both are cooked with plenty of fat, oil or sugar. Unprocessed whole grains, potatoes with the skin, have more fiber which lowers the glycemic index and is easier on your system.

If you ate potatoes the way the Irish did 100 years ago, they would be healthier than potatoes you get in a restaurant today in the form of french fries, mashed potatoes, potatoes au gratin, etc.

I suggest looking up different grains & potatoes in the US FDA database, check the total carbs, sugar and fiber.
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov

PS: if you can actually get whole grains and potatoes baked in the skin without butter or sour cream or bacon, why not eat both or switch back and forth? If you eat only one or the other exclusively, you're gonna get tired of it pretty quick.

 

[Kalle.J]

I don't eat either (any carbs or vegetables)
But I would give up grains first. Peeled potatoes are fine if grown in good soil and not cooked in oil IMO.

Eggs and meat covers all your nutritional needs

 

[riff1006]

Best to give up both. Probably not what you want to hear. As dnewton3 states, neither is very good for you from an insulin spike perspective.

 

[GON]

Best to give up both. Probably not what you want to hear. As dnewton3 states, neither is very good for you from an insulin spike perspective.

Regrettably, fresh produce is usually well past its "shelf life", often having small bugs, and lots of visual decay. Animal proteins are rarely cooked through enough to kill pathogens. For these reasons, turning to breads, pastas, and fried potatoes seem like a "safe bet" to avoid food borne pathogens. The tradeoff for food safety is exposure to diabetes, weight gain, etc.

 

[Kira]

Sorry to hear this....Ha, you could join my wife in praising my vegetable rich cooking.
Are frozen veggies available?
Have you a regular fish item? Perhaps testing for mercury is smart?

 

[Kalle.J]

Regrettably, fresh produce is usually well past its "shelf life", often having small bugs, and lots of visual decay. Animal proteins are rarely cooked through enough to kill pathogens. For these reasons, turning to breads, pastas, and fried potatoes seem like a "safe bet" to avoid food borne pathogens. The tradeoff for food safety is exposure to diabetes, weight gain, etc.

You only need to cook poultry and minced meat "through".
Your stomach acid should kill anything else.

What condition are you trying to manage?

 

[GON]

You only need to cook poultry and minced meat "though".
Your stomach acid should kill anything else.

What condition are you trying to manage?

Some "westerners", including myself are challenged by food borne pathogens, that the local populace appears to have built immunities to. My way of countering food borne pathogens has been meals of processed grains (bread/pasta), and potatoes. Of note, food handling by restaurant personnel likely does not include hygiene recommendations. Many restaurants to include restaurants in "mega malls" lack hand washing stations, etc. When served meals are touched with hands that just handled uncooked animal proteins, etc- stomach acid doesn't get the same vote of giving protections.

Condition I am trying to manage is increased risk to type two diabetes as a result in a change of diet from fresh vegetables and animal proteins to a diet primarily of processed breads/pastas, and fried potatoes.

 

[MRC01]

Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease and the best way to prevent/avoid/cure it is to eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise. There are several different healthy diets that work.

Whole unprocessed plant foods - vegetables, legumes, starches, are high fiber and healthy to eat. Processed breads & pastas and fried potatoes are not. But that is the form in which most restaurants serve them. It seems your biggest challenge is not being able to cook your own meals, having to eat at restaurants all the time. Can you find restaurants with healthier options? It would be ironic if your quest to avoid food based pathogens forces you into a diet that ruins your health in different ways. Sounds like the cure could be worse than the disease.

 

[AZjeff]

I think GON's problem might be that he's working in a country where food hygiene in restaurants is suspect and he can't cook for himself. Could you at least get some fresh vegetables and fruit that you could eat after thoroughly washing?

 

[Astro14]

I think GON's problem might be that he's working in a country where food hygiene in restaurants is suspect and he can't cook for himself. Could you at least get some fresh vegetables and fruit that you could eat after thoroughly washing?

That’s exactly the problem. He’s the kind of guy that typically eats vegetables and lean proteins. But he’s stuck eating the local fare.

All the well-meaning advice may not be possible where he is right now.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Storage and re-heating options? How long are you going to be there? No clue on cost but I'm thinking something Omaha Steaks that ship the flash frozen thing. Factor/Redefine or other premade meals that you can get frozen. Some dry ice and overnight shipping.

 

[benjy]

dump the grains, especially wheat since its hybridized having amolypectin A which sky rockets blood sugars, check out Ben Bikman a member here noted, my new favorite for true info!!!

 

[supton]

How hard is it to have shipped in, if not MRE's then various camp fare. Freeze dried or otherwise. I'm not sure if you can at least heat water in your lodging; it might not be fresh food but it may be free of pathogens and may provide more variety. And since it should have calorie count on the packaging, give you a good idea about caloric intake.

 

[Pew]

I would drop potatoes without a second thought. I would literally die if i get separated from my white rice.

On a serious note, I'd still drop potatoes. Cooked grains, imo, compliment more foods than potatoes and more prevalent in multiple cultures so it will be easier to eat every meal with more options. There's only so much butter or deep fried you can add onto a potato.

 

[Vil_Riker]

Both grains and potatoes will contribute to the risk of type 2 diabetes. If these are your only choices, I would just decrease food intake to a reasonable level.

Are you in Peru or somewhere like that to be stuck with these two foods?

 

[Mike_dup1]

Besides sugar, carbs are a BIG no-no with type 2 Diabetes, will drive blood sugar through the roof. Ask me how I know.

The only red meat to eat (in moderation) is Filet Mignon, if worried about cholesterol. Cardiologists recommend a Mediterranean diet.

 

[Kalle.J]

The only red meat to eat (in moderation) is Filet Mignon, if worried about cholesterol.

You mean if worried about the wallet. Filet Mignon is pretty lean.