Eating to live ...

This morning I was running late and didn't have any oatmeal in a jar to grab. I've been really trying to prep food so that this doesn't happen, but what I had in the fridge this morning was some individual portions of soup (not something easily eaten on the go) and a few cold baked potatoes. So I grabbed one of the latter and a banana from the fruit bowl.  Not necessarily what you, or I, would think of as a wonderful breakfast, but sometimes ... food is just fuel. I've had to remind myself of that fact a couple times this past week. And I have to admit, since adopting a whole food, plant-based diet a few weeks back I've been fueling my body with some awesome eats ... a lot of delightful, delicious, very picture worthy entrees, soup, salads and desserts. And now this. On the surface it doesn't seem noteworthy, certainly not impressive. And yet ... it is. This red potato had everything I needed to keep me going for a few hours until lunch. Here's what the humble potato has going on:

• It contains no fat, cholesterol or sodium. (Not on it's own. I did add a sprinkle.)
• It's gluten free.
• It provides nearly half the adult daily requirement of vitamin C.
• It contains more potassium than a banana.
• It is a good source of vitamin B6
• It is full of fiber, magnesium and antioxidants.
• It is high (really high) on the satiety index. 

I say potatoes are a lot like Mary Poppins ... practically perfect in every way! And, if you are counting calories a 5.3 oz. skin-on spud is only 110! I haven't been counting calories ... or carbs ... or points, but I have been eating a lot of potatoes. Usually they are dressed better than this one ... topped with mushroom gravy, or creamed corn, or smashed with garlic and herbs. But sometimes ... food is just fuel. And that's OK. After all, it's about eating to live, not living to eat, right?! And since I've been fueling my body with whole, plant-based foods, including lots of potatoes, I've lost 11 pounds, have lowered my cholesterol, have brought my fasting glucose down by over 100 points and have actually been able to stop one of my diabetes medications. Now that's living!