Called for the doctor, doctor said:

[cyrano]

So. Starches.
Specifically in relation to a guy who has been warned that he may get diabetes.
Are potatoes always bad starches?
What sorts of words do I look for to determine if a rice is a good rice or a bad rice?
LJ brain trust, I entreat you to share your wisdom.

Comments

[ambar.livejournal.com]

Here's a tip from the nutrition professor: There are no good or bad foods, just good or bad times to eat particular foods.

That said, I think the phrase you're looking for is "glycemic index," which defines how quickly the carbs from the food enter your blood. Potatoes are high, as are grains with the natural fiber stripped off (like white rice).

The plan I'm working with at the moment limits intake of carbs which are not fruits and (non-starchy) vegetables to the post-workout window (ends 6 hours after you hit the gym for some heavy lifting.)

let me know if you want more, I can keep nattering for a while. :-)

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Yes, I believe that is the phrase I'm looking for. (Shame. I'm going to miss potatoes. But I will trade no potatoes for no insulin shots.)
And while I may not act upon advice given, I am happy to hear it at least once.

[ambar.livejournal.com]

Well, lay hands on this (the library may have it, who knows?):

The Metabolism Advantage

[jendaviswilson.livejournal.com]

Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy

Changed my life, it did.

rice

[jendaviswilson.livejournal.com]

Also, for rice, brown=good, whole grain = good. "Wild rice" isn't rice, really, but is usually good. If you are making it yourself, make sure there is at least 2 g fiber per serving if you aren't sure.

White rice=bad, and that includes fancy names for white rice like jasmine or basmati. Spanish rice and fried rice are usually made with white rice unless they specifically say otherwise.

Whole foods makes brown rice sushi, by the way. You can also find places that will give you a brown rice burrito.

[yukonsally]

All I know is my diabetic mother doesn't eat potatoes very much.

[irismoonlight.livejournal.com]

What Ambar said. No bad foods. No good foods. Quantity and timing is the issue. That may mean that the quantity of potatoes you can eat is too small for you to want to bother, but ...

The diabetic diet is one of the healthiest ones you can go on; I followed it when I was in college and had to do a nutrition report on it. I'm sure it has been grandly revised since then, but it's prolly still grandly healthy. And while you don't HAVE diabetes, following it will help keep you from getting it.

It's also way too complicated for an LJ post.

Your doctor didn't do you much service if he didn't refer you to a nutritionist. Get him/her to do so. Pronto. Being told to change your diet and not being told how is.not.helpful.

*eyeroll* DOCTORS.

Webmed on diabetes prevention
Lifeclinic

But really, seriously, get that doc to refer you. I cringe when I see advice like "eat more starches." How the hell do they know how many starches you're eating now? That's not intelligent advice, it's averaged advice. The average person eats too few. Bah. GO SEE THOU A NUTRITIONIST.

Soapbox done.