Starting today, we are starting a new column here on A Disease A Day, called “What NOT To Eat, and Why”. Each column will tell you about a specific food you should avoid if you want to keep away from those diseases we feature here daily. We’ll also provide you with ideas for alternatives.
Today’s food: French fries
French fries. Photo by adria.richards.
Why?
a. First of all, potatoes themselves aren’t such a good food choice. Each carbohydrate that we eat has a glycemic index (GI) measure to it. The higher the GI, the higher that food is broken down and releases sugars into our blood stream. This raises insulin levels in our blood quickly. Eating many high GI foods (potatoes have a high GI) can thus cause problems in the long run, such as obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis.
b. Second, the deep frying of French fries (which is usually how they are prepared in fast food places) causes them to have high levels of trans fat. Eating trans fats puts you at risk of developing atherosclerosis and heart attacks. among other things.
What’s an alternative?
Avoiding potatoes altogether is unrealistic, even given their high GI. If you do want to vary your diet in this area, though, sweet potatoes are a good alternative, since they have a lower GI.
So how do you eat those fries without the health hazards? Cooking or baking the fries in a healthier oil such as olive oil will do the trick. Olive oil has health benefits which help prevent heart attacks, instead of causing them, like trans-fat-rich oils do.
Have any ideas of your own for French fries alternatives? Share them in the comments.
What next?
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