Potatoes are one of the best foods to eat when you’re trying to lose weight or maintain your current body.
They are filling, easy to make, and cheap! But why exactly do they have this effect? Let’s take a closer look at this interesting point in today’s post.
Why are potatoes so filling?
Potatoes are filling because they have a lot of carbs and plant fiber.
These are called resistant starch. This makes you feel full faster than other foods. Potatoes also have protein, some of which is proteinase inhibitor, that makes you feel full faster than other things too.
And if you eat them with dairy, meat, or eggs then it takes even longer to digest.
What makes a food filling is what it has in it. These are the things that keep you full, like carbohydrates, proteins, and fiber. Some food is made up of ingredients that are better at keeping you full than others.
For example, potatoes have high fiber or protein in them which keeps you fuller for longer. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why they’re good for meals.
What food keeps you full the longest?
The food that will keep you satisfied the longest is potatoes, cooked any way you want. The potato has resistant starch which means it won’t digest quickly so your stomach feels full longer.
Whole grains are also good because they have resistant starch too, like brown rice, oats, and bran. You can also try eating whole grain pasta to help keep your stomach full.
Proteins like meat and beans can make people full for a long time as well. Protein helps your body grow. It is up to you how you get your protein, either from animals or plants.
What role do resistant starches play here?
There are fibers that are found in fruits and vegetables. These fiber types are called resistant starches.
When these resistant starch types of fiber reach the stomach, it is hard for the stomach acid to break down the cell walls. This means that the carbs will be released slower, which helps you feel fuller longer!
This is why oatmeal makes you full and beans are hard to digest. Potatoes have a special kind of starch that doesn’t get digested.
The importance of proteinase inhibitors
Proteinase inhibitors are a plant defense mechanism. When the plant is harmed, it produces this protein. It slows digestion and suppresses appetite in animals who eat the plants. This makes them stop eating because they feel full after a while.
People eat the root part of plants. The roots have proteinase inhibitors which means that eating potatoes can make people feel full and have a suppressed appetite, like eating fries. Even though the effects are not as strong, they still exist.
Animal fats and protein
Animal fats and protein are the two main things you need when you’re cooking potatoes.
You’ll usually add meat or dairy to the side of it. It could be a burger patty with fries or scalloped potatoes with eggs and cream for example. Or it could be a simple steak with mashed potatoes (made with butter and cream).
Potatoes are usually eaten with another high-calorie, sometimes nutrient-dense food. This means you’re going to feel full even more than if you were eating potatoes alone.
Why are potatoes fattening?
Potatoes are not fattening. It is the fats and starches that make them fattening. If you eat potatoes, by themselves, they are not bad for you. They are filling and slow to digest foods.
When you do not use up all your calories, then the pounds will come. It is a slippery slope to weight gain. Most foods have more calories than people think and it is easy to eat too much.
Your stomach can also adjust and demand more food if you eat too much of it. It’s not potatoes’ fault or how you cook them or what they are served with, but rather what you eat them with that is the problem.
Are potatoes more filling than rice?
Potatoes are more filling than rice. That is because rice is starch and it digests easily, while potatoes digest slowly. 100 grams of cooked rice keeps you full for less time than 100 grams of boiled potatoes.
Pasta and rice are in the same category. That is because they both have most of their fiber taken out. Pasta is made with very finely ground flour, and white rice has its hull removed.
If you want to eat more filling food, then get wholegrain pasta and brown rice. They can be different than usual but will keep you full longer than other foods.
FAQ’s
Why is mashed potato so filling?
Mashed potatoes are filling because they have cream and butter in them. Deep frying food makes it less dense, which is why when you fry french fries, they feel lighter than when you mash them.
Is it bad to eat potatoes every day?
Eating a medium-sized potato a day can be part of a healthy diet. You should cook them without adding oil or salt.
What is healthier bread or potatoes?
Bread and potatoes are both good sources of carbs. Some people think that bread is better because it does not have gluten. Potatoes are better because they do not have gluten, and leave behind an alkaline residue.
Why is sweet potato better than potato?
Sweet potatoes are better than regular potatoes. This is because they have a lot of vitamins A, which are healthy for us. And sweet potatoes are lower on the glycemic index, so they do not create as much sugar in our blood as regular potatoes.
Should I eat potatoes while I run?
Potatoes are a good snack or meal for after your run. You might want to eat them with potassium and carbohydrates. Your body needs potassium and carbohydrates because they will make your muscles better and stronger.