Is it healthy to only eat potatoes for an entire year?

January 14, 2016 Posted by David Linton

An Australian man has pledged to only eat potatoes for the entirety of 2016 in an attempt to cure his “binge-eating”.

The father-of-two Andrew Flinders Taylor, from Melbourne, said he made the decision after reaching his heaviest weight of just under 24 stone!

After only a 34 days of the diet, he has lost over two stone and says he is sleeping better as a result.

Mr Taylor took on the challenge after studying scientific papers and finalising a plan with the help of a doctor and a dietician.

He says he was surprised to find that potatoes offer “more than enough protein” along with all essential amino acids.

Mr Taylor told The Independent: “I’m getting over 600% of my daily iron retirements and over 400% of vitamin c as well as heaps of fibre – all things that so-called experts have said I’d be low in today.

“The only thing of concern was calcium, potatoes have calcium but maybe not enough.

“To be sure I’m using a calcium fortified organic soy milk to make mashed potatoes.”

As potatoes are low in fat, Mr Taylor is taking regular blood tests and will consume fat if necessary to stay at healthy levels.

On doctor’s advice, he is eating a mixture of sweet and white potato species.

Speaking about the first month of his alternative diet, he said: “I thought it would be a big battle of mental toughness to stay with this for an entire year but so far I’ve really enjoyed it.

Mr Taylor cooked this potato pancake using potatoes and a little potato flour

“It has been boring but somehow I’ve still enjoyed it and I’m not sick of it. I feel really satisfied after every meal.

“I can’t explain this, it’s quite puzzling to me but I really am quite happy with eating only potatoes.”

Mr Taylor said he did nearly no exercise for the first month.

“My energy levels have slowly been building throughout this though so in the last week I’ve felt the need to get out and burn some off,” he said.

“I’ve got myself a foot bike – I do about an hour and half in that each day.”

To anyone interested in this diet, he said: “I’m really not trying to be some sort of fad diet evangelist here.

“I don’t want anyone to copy me without doing their own research and getting the appropriate supervision. I’m not trying to sell anything.

“This is just an experiment I’m doing for myself and I’m really surprised and amazed by all the attention.”

Good luck to our new favourite Ozzie and spud man Andrew!

Orginal article appeared on The Independent

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