I've read a number of articles and books et cetera that say that white potatoes are horrible things, and should be avoided as much as possible. However, while recently poking around on the net, I have found a couple of fitness programs that recommend them when they are eaten as part of a complete meal (ie as the carb portion with some protein and vegetables).

What are the pros and cons of eating white potatoes? I haven't had any in a while, and when I want something potato-y I am fine with sweet potatoes, but I was curious. I'm not a huge potato fan (my Irish ancestors are rolling in their graves!), though there is something to be said for a perfectly cooked baked potato and/or plain old boiled baby new potatoes.

In a balanced diet for a typical person the occasional white potato isn't a killer. And there are folks here who will use them on occasion pwo while bulking.

Generally speaking, sweet potatoes have a better nutritional value, lower, GI, etc so are seen as "superior".

Think white rice is to white potato as brown rice is to sweet potato. Not a technically valid argument but you get the point.

I've read a number of articles and books et cetera that say that white potatoes are horrible things, and should be avoided as much as possible. However, while recently poking around on the net, I have found a couple of fitness programs that recommend them when they are eaten as part of a complete meal (ie as the carb portion with some protein and vegetables).

What are the pros and cons of eating white potatoes? I haven't had any in a while, and when I want something potato-y I am fine with sweet potatoes, but I was curious. I'm not a huge potato fan (my Irish ancestors are rolling in their graves!), though there is something to be said for a perfectly cooked baked potato and/or plain old boiled baby new potatoes.

All things in moderation...once per month? Once in a blue moon? Enjoy them!

iuse them reguraly pwo meal numero dos

I eat 2 white potatoes a day (sometimes 1 and a sweet potato) and have had no problems getting to 10% BF.

I have them once in a while. I consider them a vegetable so I don't view them as bad. Perhaps they are not optimal but I think you have to look at it from the right perspective. A baked white potato is still a better source of carbs than something like bread or cereal, IMO. Not to mention the other vitamins that are found within the potato itself.

I eat potatoes once in a while, but I don't eat nearly as many as I used to. I prefer the taste of sweet potatoes anyway.

According to World's Healthiest Foods:
Our food ranking system qualified potatoes (http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=48) as a very good source of vitamin C, a good source of vitamin B6, copper, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber.

In contrast to a sweet potato (http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=64):
This root vegetable qualified as an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), a very good source of vitamin C and manganese, and a good source of copper, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron.

The potato has been given a bad rap due to it's high glycemic index. It's a moderately high number, so it's possible it could contribute to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and obesity.

From The Linus Pauling institute (http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/foods/grains/gigl.html):
Some strategies for lowering dietary glycemic load include:

• Increasing the consumption of whole grains, nuts, legumes, fruits and nonstarchy vegetables
• Decreasing the consumption of starchy high-glycemic index foods like potatoes, white rice and white bread
• Decreasing the consumption of sugary foods like cookies, cakes, candy and soft-drinks

In contrast, sweet potato has recently been classified as an "antidiabetic" food. because of some recent animal studies in which sweet potato helped stabilize blood sugar levels and lowered insulin resistance (http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=69).

Even nicer is a Yam.... but they're harder to find in the store since 9 time out of 10 the store mislabels a sweetpotato as yams.