The problem with potatoes: simple carbs

The problem with potatoes: simple carbs

U.S. citizens consume about 140 pounds of potatoes per year, per person.

I happened to catch that interesting stat on CBS Sunday Morning last week. And you have to wonder if this is one of the keys to America’s obesity crisis.

That’s about 2.5 pounds of potatoes every week. I enjoy potatoes now and then, but I’m certain I don’t eat a couple of pounds a month, much less every week. So someone out there is taking up the slack for me big time.

And what’s wrong with stuffing yourself with potatoes?

HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., explains: “The baked potato is as close to a pure, refined starch as you can get without actually refining it.

“As soon as a starch hits enzymes in your mouth, the starches begin the digestion process, and breaks down to (you guessed it) sugar. As soon as the starch breaks down to sugar, you’re back to a refined simple carb.”

And those refined simple carbs are the ones that promote weight gain, increase abdominal fat, and set the stage for type 2 diabetes.