Eating potatoes helps you lose weight faster than calorie-counting

A new study now finds that eating lots of potatoes, rice and pasta helps you lose weight faster than counting calories alone.

According to researchers, the foods fill dieters up quicker so they have fewer cravings for snacks and junk food and end up eating less.

The further added that fresh fruit, vegetables, lean meat, fish, eggs and pulses have the same effect. They typically have fewer calories per mouthful than processed foods as they are full of water, protein and fibre.

Speaking about it, study leader Dr Nicola Buckland, from Leeds University, said, “A lot of people give up on diets because they feel hungry between meals.”

He further added, “Our research shows eating low energy density foods can help overcome that problem.”

The study found 37 overweight women who ate food with a low energy density for 14 weeks lost an average of 12lbs 13oz.

They also reported feeling less hungry and had fewer cravings.

According to Dr Buckland some would have to eat around 250g of carrots to consume 100 calories or 20g of chocolate.

“But the greater volume of carrots is likely to make you much fuller,” he added.