Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group food-craving survey!!

my grandfather immigrated from ireland and he taught my mother lots of way to cook potatoes.....oak

Hi Oak and Bridgett-
It's definitely the Irish in me also. It runs strong in my blood. My Dad's side is all red heads and cheekbones. My Mom's side also has some Irish. She will be 81 on Monday, and has hardly any grey hair yet. Just a touch on the sides, otherwise it's reddish brown(natural). so I grew up with potatoes and that's a hard one to break. I've cut down drastically, but I'm just a french fry away from total melt down. Wanda

you know whats really good french fries those big thick kind with real german mayonaise ooooh how i mis that.....oak

I crave dairy, pasta, oranges/most fruit, bread/bakery products, chocolate on a once a month basis, and I have a bit of a sweet tooth.
I must admit that bread/bakery products seem to put me in a flare if I over-indulge. I find it strange but I seem to 'need' these at a certain time of month more than usual. Maybe that's why I get a bit of a flare at that time?
Cheers,
Jess

Some "Sweet" potato facts I found.... my Grandfather loved sweet potatoes.

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SWEET POTATO NUTRITION
Sweet Potato Ranks Number One In Nutrition


According to nutritionists at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the single most important dietary change for most people, including children, would be to replace fatty foods with foods rich in complex carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes.

CSPI ranked the sweet potato number one in nutrition of all vegetables. With a score of 184, the sweet potato outscored the next highest vegetable by more than 100 points. Points were given for content of dietary fiber, naturally occurring sugars and complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. Points were deducted for fat content (especially saturated fat), sodium, cholesterol, added refined sugars and caffeine. The higher the score, the more nutritious the food.

Sweet potato baked 184
Potato, baked 83
Spinach 76
Kale 55
Mixed Vegetables 52
Broccoli 52
Winter Squash, Baked 44
Brussels Sprouts 37
Cabbage, Raw 34
Green Peas 33
Carrot 30
Okra 30
Corn on the Cob 27
Tomato 27
Green Pepper 26
Cauliflower 25
Artichoke 24
Romaine Lettuce 24

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, Washington D.C. copyright 1992


The reasons the sweet potato took first place? Dietary fiber, naturally occurring sugars, complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. The sweet potato received a score of 184; the vegetable ranked in second place was more than 100 points behind with a score of 83.

The numbers for the nutritional sweet potato speak for themselves: almost twice the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A, 42 percent of the recommendation for vitamin C, four times the RDA for beta carotene, and, when eaten with the skin, sweet potatoes have more fiber than oatmeal. All these benefits with only about 130 to 160 calories!

Sweet Potato Nutrition Facts
(for one medium size sweet potato)
Calories 130
Fat 0.39 g
Protein 2.15 g
Net Carbs 31.56 g
Dietary Fiber 3.9 g
Calcium 28.6 mg
Sodium 16.9 mg
Potassium 265.2 mg
Folate 18.2 mcg
Vitamin C 29.51 mg
Vitamin A 26081.9 IU
Source: US Department of Agriculture

Among root vegetables, sweet potatoes offer the lowest glycemic index rating. That’s because the sweet potato digests slowly, causing a gradual rise in blood sugar so you feel satisfied longer. It’s time to move sweet potatoes to the "good" carb list. Many of the most popular diets these days have already.

I don't know too much about sweet potatoes, but cringed (NSD-notwithstanding) when I saw regular ol' spuds listed as more nutritious than leafy, green vegetables. From Dr. Mercola's site:

It is important to first of all realize that potatoes are not your healthiest food choice. It is far better to go for the deep dark green vegetables. But if you are going to consume potatoes, it would be best to apply the results of the study.

SO if you were considering cooking up those potatoes, even though they've developed a green tint, think again. Fortunately, there is a solution to the problem. Store your potatoes in a cool, dimly lit area or cupboard, and cut away any green sections before you eat them. Also, toss them if they taste bitter. Those steps should prevent you from having to deal with a toxic solanine overdose.

Another thing to consider -- this time while you're buying the spuds -- is to look for organically grown varieties, as genetically modified potatoes have been found to be carcinogenic.

However, for most of you it would be best to avoid potatoes altogether. Your ancestors existed on a diet largely free of large amounts of sugar and starch for millions of years.

You simply don't have the mechanisms to incorporate the high carbohydrates from starch- and sugar-rich foods into your diet without causing some serious damage to your insulin levels and then subsequently your health. In short, it is highly likely you are consuming far too much bread, cereal, pasta, corn, rice, potatoes which can have very grave consequences to your health. Potatoes, like all of these foods, cause dangerously increased insulin levels in most people, so it would be wise to restrict them in your diet.

Hi Oak,
I 've never tried that - tell me about it. Wanda

they fry the potatoes in fresh oil not grease they leave the skins on and im not sure how they make theyre mayo but it is very smooth and creamy and its a taste to die for if ya get helmans mayo thats close to real german mayo that i have tried....oak

Man, I just weighed in at over 200....for the first time ever....am six foot three, used to be a lot lighter...lol....180 to 190 was ok in my thirties...am now 43...

Fast food...have not cooked alot recently, and am sitting writing papers....and ok, I like beer....

I am an omnivore...I will eat meat and tofu, starchy foods and seaweed...if it is delicious, I will eat it!

Now, before the Enbrel, I did NSD and it really helped my flares...within hours after a slice of pizza I was flaring...I ate lots of vitamins and supplements, still do...

What I must look out for is food poisoning or alergic reactions, that make me get off Enbrel and take antibiotics....which happened recently that I will post...

But for you, it sounds like if you go NSD and eliminate your...favorite...ouch...foods...you will improve your condition...let us know!

You rock, don't forget it
Peace
Linc

Hi Bridge,

Hope you are doing good girl!

This was a great question!

I have enjoyed reading everyones responses..

I know my diet has changed over the years, I use to be able to eat a whole box of reese's peanut butter cups when I was 16 and not gain an ounce..lol

I am tall I am 5'9 so I can hide a little weight but I have gained alot from the steroids, need to get it off.

I have noticed chinese food sends me into a flare, probly because of the msg and other things they add to it.

I have never been a big meat eater nor have I ever been a big sweet eater.

I love salads, fruits and vegetables...I try to eat whatever I like in moderation, but I am really watching or trying to watch what I eat these days to feel better.

Take Care,

Lisa