Potatoes as a part of a larger meal, with meat and vegetables, should not
raise insulin levels.  I try to have a salad in my stomach before I attack
potatoes.  I keep potatoes to one small helping at dinner, if I have them at
all.  This way my stomach doesn't see a food with a high glycemic
index..............mixed with everything else with much lower glycemic
indices so my insulin doesn't soar.

Why do I eat them at all?  Good question.  But as part of a family that is
eating "normal" foods, and as someone who eats out and at friend's homes, I
just find it easier and still advantageous to not completely restrict
potato.

P
----- Original Message -----
From: "Amadeus Schmidt" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 8:45 AM
Subject: White Potatoes (Re: tubers ?!


> On Tue, 27 Nov 2001 19:25:59 -0500, Paul Getty <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> >I am eating quite a bit of turnips, rutabagas, carrots, sweet potatoes,
> >beets and kohlrabi.  But the Paleo diet seemed so
> >vehemently against Irish potatoes.  What do you think about them,
Amadeus?
>
> Against white potatoes:
> - they contain a antinutrient (solanin) this is effective
>   in amounts > 2kg or in green or injured potatoes
> - they aren't edible raw (potent lectin)
> - they elevate blood glucose and insulin *very* rapidly
>   (see http://venus.nildram.co.uk/veganmc/isgs.gif )
>
> Pro white potatoes:
> - for 2600 kcal they have a very good nutrition profile (a good staple)
>   including even vitamin C
> - solanin is a forgiving toxin that doesn't accumulate and doesn't harm
>   if smaller amounts (e.g. 1 kg) are eaten
> - they are in most aspects like a basic hominid food (tubers)
>
> Summasummarum:
> The insulin elevation should be feared.
> In the case you have carbohydrate metabolism disturbed (probable for som
> 30% of the population in my estimation) I think it's better to keep
fingers
> away. Or eat only very small amounts.
>
> Sweet potatoes are better in many aspects, including vitamin A.
> And taste great when raw.
> But the white ones taste better when cooked.
>
> Amadeus S.
>
>