Sm red potatoes...

[numbere]

Care to explain your thought process here?
If the GI index doesn't matter then why not just get all needed carbs from sugar?

I understand your point, but saying "why not just get all needed carbs from sugar" is a bit extreme. Potatoes are healthier than refined sugar on a macro and micro level.

The GI index was created for those suffering from diabetes. All of the foods measured in the GI are tested in a fasted state under carbs alone. When carbs are consumed with fat, fiber and protein ther GI is lowered considerably. Furthermore, some low GI foods act as high GI foods after ingestion. Milk (30) is lower on the GI than white bread (70), but both produce the same insulin response. Ice cream (36) is much lower than an apple (80). This doesn't mean that ice cream is healthier than an apple. GI numbers are inaccurate.

I'm not saying to avoid high GI foods altogether. As with all facets of life balance is key. People who pay special attention to the GI of a food and think that it will help their waistline don't realize that their efforts are better spent elsewhere.

How the Glycemic Index Lies to You

[The Deadlifting Dog]

I understand your point, but saying "why not just get all needed carbs from sugar" is a bit extreme. Potatoes are healthier than refined sugar on a macro and micro level.

The GI index was created for those suffering from diabetes. All of the foods measured in the GI are tested in a fasted state under carbs alone. (Incorrect. They've tested many foods that have more than just carbs in them. Ice cream, pizza, most foods reallly...) When carbs are consumed with fat, fiber and protein ther GI is lowered considerably. Furthermore, some low GI foods act as high GI foods after ingestion. Milk (30) is lower on the GI than white bread (70), but both produce the same insulin response. Ice cream (36) is much lower than an apple (80). This doesn't mean that ice cream is healthier than an apple. GI numbers are inaccurate. (GI numbers aren't inaccurate, your understanding of them is inaccurate.)

I'm not saying to avoid high GI foods altogether. (I believe you mean low GI foods.) As with all facets of life balance is key. People who pay special attention to the GI of a food and think that it will help their waistline don't realize that their efforts are better spent elsewhere. (They should consider the GI index amonst other things.)

How the Glycemic Index Lies to You

While I agree that saying "why not just eat sugar" is a bit extreme I also feel that saying "The idea of sweet potatoes being better for you because they are lower on the glycemic index is a total myth." is a bit extreme.

The problem with comparing ice cream to apples is that ice cream is a mixture of many foods while an apple is just one food.
Comparing russet potatoes to sweet potatoes is a much closer match.

[numbere]

While I agree that saying "why not just eat sugar" is a bit extreme I also feel that saying "The idea of sweet potatoes being better for you because they are lower on the glycemic index is a total myth." is a bit extreme.

The problem with comparing ice cream to apples is that ice cream is a mixture of many foods while an apple is just one food.
Comparing russet potatoes to sweet potatoes is a much closer match.

"The idea of sweet potatoes being better for you because they are lower on the glycemic index is a total myth." By no means is that an extreme statement.

It's asinine to base your diet around numbers that were assigned to foods meant for fasting diabetics. Whether one eats sweet potatoes vs. white potatoes or brown rice vs. white rice has little to do with the way in which one looks. This game is about an entire lifestyle not comparing various carbs to glucose.