Once upon a time, a man lost 117 pounds by eating just potatoes. YES, POTATOES. True story. This is a diet I can get behind.
Andrew Taylor, an Australian dude (I suddenly appreciate Australians immensely), reevaluated his life and realized he needed to make a change. Since he couldn’t abstain from all food, he decided to abstain as much as possible. Despite the horrible rep that potatoes get, they’re actually packed with tons of nutrients (!) He also took a B12 vitamin to make up for the lack of protein, but that’s beside the point.
He declared it…the Spud Fit Challenge! It’s even a book now, too!
Within this diet, he tried a combo of all different kinds of potatoes, while using minimal herbs, spices, and fat-free sauces. He only drank water, and began exercising after the first month. Even before he began exercising, he managed to lose 20 pounds.
The Rules
- Eat a combo of potatoes, including sweet potatoes, but only use a minimal amount of herbs, fat-free sauces, and spices. Take a B12 supplement if you plan on doing it for more than a few months. Avoid oils and anything fatty, like meats, cheeses, eggs, or dairy products. If you must use milk for mashed potatoes, use soy milk.
- Don’t restrict or count calories! Eat as much as you’d like, as often as you’d like, and do not go hungry if you can help it.
- Do your own research and make educated decisions – consult a doctor to make sure everything is going well for you.
Mostly, he made either mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, or baked potatoes. He did not have set things made for each meal, but rather made a big batch and ate it until it was gone.
Surprise, surprise, he didn’t get bored of eating straight potatoes! A man after my own heart, obviously.
If you want, you can order his book here. I may or may not be considering it…
This man just goes to show the importance of eating your potatoes. I think we can all learn something from him.