Keeping a Balanced Diet and Staying Strong with Potatoes USA

There's a lot of misconception about potatoes consumption. Some might think that eating potatoes is fattening but the matter of fact, potatoes are actually very good for your health if it's eaten moderately. So recently there's an event by US Potatoes which I have attended. US Potatoes has always been synonymous with nutritious diets and meals for many Malaysian households. They have found their way into many food service sectors – serving up a wide repertoire of tasty menu creations using U.S. Potatoes. 

Clockwise from top left: US Purple Blue, US Round Red, US Yukon Gold and US Russet Potato.

The event was held at Sime Darby Convention Centre where Potatoes USA showcased the goodness of U.S. potatoes in a media presentation in a themed "POWER UP WITH US POTATOES" to highlight the importance of potatoes in the diet of athletes. Potatoes = Performance. Potatoes provide the carbohydrate, potassium and energy that we need to perform at our best.


In Nutrition Today, a US journal, it is suggested that a balanced diet high in natural, quality carbohydrate rich foods like nutrient-densed potatoes may be optimal to improving physical performance among elite endurance athletes. Numerous studies conducted over the past 40-50 years also suggested that carbohydrates are a primary macronutrient for sustaining and improving athletic performance. 

A welcome speech by Ms Sarah Reece, Global Marketing Manager Potatoes USA

Do you know that potatoes contain 620mg of potassium and that's actually more potassium than a medium-size banana, potatoes are perfect for aiding muscle, cardiovascular and nervous system function during long endurance events. Ms Sarah Reece, Global Marketing Manager during her welcome speech has mentioned that Potatoes USA was as the Official Performance Vegetable of IRONMAN 70.3 Boulder. Potatoes USA is encouraging IRONMAN® athletes to set aside traditional pre-race pasta dishes and rice bowls and instead power their triathlon performance with potatoes.

From left: Noel Chelliah and Kimberley Yap 

At the event, Potatoes USA has brought the important potato fitness message to Malaysians. Popular sports/fitness coach Noel Chelliah from DailyMuscle Lighthouse & and triathlon gold medalist Kimberley Yap were enlisted to headline a showcase of potato nutrition with an emphasis on the characteristics and nutrients essential for improved athletic performance. They expounded how potatoes are good for daily nutritional meals, weight management and sports. Potatoes are also being utilised as a fuel for fitness buffs and sports persons. 

Noel Chelliah a well-known Fitness Leader / Certified Health Coach said in order to eat right — one needs to calculate daily food intake and the right amounts of carb/protein/fat. Potatoes fit the bill as a well-balanced nutritious food.

Kimberley Yap who is a fitness trainer and two-time SEA Games triathlon gold medallist shared how US Potatoes can power start the body for intense competitive sports. She shared the nutrients/ energy requirements for triathlons, discussed potato 'power' carbs and how high energy fuel foods like potatoes impact competitive sports performance. Both led key fit & athletic Malaysian social media influencers in a fitness session focused on high intensity fitness and how a potato recipe/drink can boost an athlete pre-work out and replenish energy post work-out. 

Celebrity Chef Muhammad Naim Ramli posing for the camera with the 2 dishes that he cooked with U.S Potatoes

Right after the sharing session by Noel and Kimberley, there was a cooking demonstration using 3 potatoes recipes. Celebrity Chef Muhammad Naim Ramli, popularly known as Chef Naem demonstrated 3 recipes for the athletes using U.S Potatoes as a key ingredient. 

Some of you might know that Chef Naem was a winner of Hero Oven TV3 2016 and host of numerous cooking shows namely Dapur Panas TV3, Dapur Bujang HYPPTV, Dapur Western HYPPTV. He's also has a nice body shape and good looking as well! Below are the pictures of the dishes that he did at the event.


On-the-go U.S Potatoes for those who want to prep a quick meal using the U.S Russets potatoes.


The delicious Chicken Tomyam U.S Hash Brown using 6 U.S Hash Brown as the key ingredient.


Last but not least, it's the U.S Potato Jackfruit Smoothie using 2 U.S Russets potatoes which is delicious and healthy at the same time!

After the cooking demonstration, there was a fitness session by Noel and Kimberley for the media and bloggers which I have took part in as well. We did two session of workout with 3 different type of exercises. It was quite challenging for me since I have stopped going to gym for about four months now but we did get to cool down our body with some cold towels. That felt heavenly!


A group photo after the fitness session with Ms Joani Dong, Regional Agriculture Attaché, Ms Sarah Reece, Global Marketing Manager Potatoes USA, fitness trainer Noel Chelliah and Kimberley Yap.


Globally, potatoes are gaining buzz as a performance food. During the 2018, Winter Olympics in South Korea, the newly-released Olympian Menu acknowledged nutrition is now a critical part of athletes' strategy to win. It was reported that the PyeongChang 2018 athlete's village kitchen has 180 chefs serving 7,000 meals a day at its peak and potatoes have been a main staple. On the international sports scene, especially in the US, potatoes have been used as a high-energy good carb for athletes to fuel up for their competitive endurance events. From the facts which I have listed here, now it's safe for me to say... don't forget to eat your potatoes!

For more information about Potatoes USA, you can head to their website at http://www.potatoesusa.com/


.: Peace Out :.

Comments

  1. My girl loves potatoes. I do enjoy eating them too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. @suituapui: Oh really? That's good... not many people enjoys it like you two! :)

    ReplyDelete

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