Can the short-term potato diet be a solution for individuals trying to lose weight?
Table of Contents
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to a healthy lifestyle diet. A successful nutrition plan needs to be personalized to the individual. Potatoes are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are the primary source of calories in this diet. The potato diet has variations, but followers eat plain potatoes for several days in the dietβs simplest form.
While there are variations, all potato diets are vegan, low in dietary fat, and encourage eating until satisfied. Instead of weighing portions or counting calories, individuals are encouraged to eat until full. The potato diet encourages volume eating, when individuals fill up on foods that are naturally lower in calories. Eating a large volume leaves the body feeling full, though fewer calories are eaten throughout the day.
The variety of potatoes allowed depends on the version of the potato diet being followed. Some require sticking to plain white potatoes, while a more forgiving version allows other varieties, such as yellow, red, and sweet potatoes.
In its purest form, the diet does not allow for other food besides potatoes, even fruits and vegetables. However, looser forms of the potato diet are designed to be more sustainable in the long term. Depending on the version of the potato diet being followed, individuals may be able to consume unprocessed foods in their whole form. However, potatoes should make up the bulk of the plate even when other foods are permitted. The additional foods are supplements to the potatoes for their nutritional content and include:
Condiments, sauces, and seasonings are limited to small quantities of low-fat condiments like mustard and homemade ketchup. Salt is allowed to season the potatoes, but not a lot. Generally, sauces and seasonings should be made with fat-free ingredients and kept to a minimum.
Water, plain tea, and plain coffee are the only beverages allowed on the potato diet. Staying hydrated is essential, so drinking plenty of water is encouraged.
Depending on the diet version, certain foods are not allowed. In the strictest form, individuals eat only plain potatoes for several days.
Because the potato diet is low-fat, it strictly prohibits animal products and fats such as vegetable oils. Fats are a dense source of calories; even small amounts add up quickly. However, healthy fats can promote the absorption of potato nutrients. Because it is designed for maximum weight loss over a short period, the diet restricts added fats like:
The diet encourages eating whole, unprocessed foods during the planβs duration. Processed foods are usually high in calories, fat, and sodium and are lower in nutrients than whole foods. For example, a baked potato is more nutritious than tater tots, fries, and potato chips, even though all are made with potatoes. Others include:
All variations of the potato diet are vegan. While following the diet, all animal products are restricted and include:
The diet is designed to be followed short-term for quick weight loss, so there is no meal schedule. Followers can eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks until full. Typically, individuals participate for two to five days, though some may follow the diet for up to a week. The potato preparation method is as important as the type of potato. It is recommended to use cooking methods that do not require added fat, such as boiling, steaming, baking, and roasting.
How many potatoes to eat in a day depends on the individual. A general recommendation is to eat approximately two to five pounds daily. Consuming enough calories in this diet is important since it is restrictive, and followers may not get enough nutrients if they eat too few calories. An extremely low-fat or fat-free diet is not sustainable. (Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, 2021)
The potato diet can help with short-term weight loss and reduce fat and sodium intake, as well as a few other health benefits and include the following:
The potato diet can come with health risks that include the following:
This is a restrictive diet that is not meant to be followed long-term. Before starting a new diet plan, consult a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian, especially if underlying health conditions exist. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop a personalized treatment plan through an integrated approach to treating injuries and chronic pain syndromes, improving flexibility, mobility, and agility programs to relieve pain and help individuals return to optimal function. Our providers use an integrated approach to create personalized care plans for each patient and restore health and function to the body throughΒ nutrition and wellness, functional medicine, acupuncture, Electroacupuncture, and sports medicine protocols. If the individual needs other treatment, they will be referred to a clinic or physician best suited for them. Dr. Jimenez has teamed up with top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers, nutritionists, and health coaches to provide the most effective clinical treatments.
Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School. (2021). Know the facts about fats. www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/know-the-facts-about-fats
Schaumberg, K., & Anderson, D. (2016). Dietary restraint and weight loss as risk factors for eating pathology. Eating behaviors, 23, 97β103. doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2016.08.009
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2020). 2020β2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Retrieved from www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Lose Weight with the Potato Diet" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card
Can understanding the anatomy and function of the long thoracic nerve help individuals make informed… Read More
Can individuals with insomnia find various ways to reduce its effects, such as a full… Read More
Individuals who don't get enough sleep at night can feel it in many ways. Can… Read More
Sweet foods were a delicacy for our ancestors. Can individuals incorporate these 5 natural sweeteners… Read More
Could regular daytime naps help individuals slow the aging process from natural brain shrinkage? Taking… Read More
Can protein powder be used in different ways to effectively support nutrition goals for individuals… Read More