Man On Potato-Only Diet Loses 20 Pounds
December 3, 2010 Chris Voigt, the 20 Potatoes a Day dieter, enjoyed his first non-potato meal by celebrating the variety of nutritious Washington foods with some of his favorite Grant County consumers. According to a press release from the commission, Voigt elected to share the first meal ending his all-potato diet with the Head Start Preschool program in Moses Lake at their Winter Family Festival — and other commodities joined in.
“Thank you for sharing my first meal with me!” Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission, told the crowd. He explained that he had enjoyed showing people that potatoes are so healthy that you could successfully live on them if you had to.
On the menu was shredded roast beef, donated by the Washington State Beef Commission, 120 pounds of Gala apples from Stemilt Growers, and milk provided courtesy of the Washington Dairy Products Commission. Oh, and potatoes from the Potato Commission. The meat and potatoes were served up in pita pockets and tortillas by Head Start staff.
Ed Field of Quincy, WA, executive director of the Washington Cattle Feeders Association, told the crowd, “We appreciate the opportunity to serve you some nutritious, lean beef tonight. The protein in beef helps kids grow up strong and active and helps parents keep up with them.”
Approximately 180 adults and children attended the event, held in the Head Start facility in the 6-year-old Family Services of Grant County building. Besides the meal, kids enjoyed interacting and creating artwork in the classrooms and parents were given nutrition information.
“What a great opportunity to partner with local folk who care about children and families,” said Sally Gundry, executive director of Family Services of Grant County. “Our parents loved helping their children play and learn, and everybody enjoyed the healthy, tasty meal.”
Dietitian Kitty Thomas, who provides nutrition education for the local Head Start program, used the food pyramid to demonstrate what foods make up a balanced diet.
Voigt has been on an all-potato diet since October 1 to help educate the public on the nutritional value of common potatoes. During his 20 Potatoes a Day diet, not only have his vital signs — blood glucose, cholesterol, body weight – improved, but he has also become a darling of news media and blogs across the U.S. and from Australia to Ireland.
Besides sleeping well and remaining full of energy during the day, he benefitted from his all-potato diet in other ways, according to blood tests and other measurements.
Beginning weight: 197 60 day weight: 176
Beginning blood glucose: 104 60 day blood glucose: 94
Beginning cholesterol: 214 60 day cholesterol: 147
Beginning triglycerides: 135 60 day triglycerides: 75
And his ending blood pressure was 112 over 70.
Besides giving numerous interviews with worldwide media each day, Voigt has been keeping up a steady presence on his website, 20potatoesaday.com, blog, and Facebook.
“This has been an amazing experience,” said Voigt before packing for his flight to New York for an appearance on “The Today Show.” “We have been able to correct some misinformation about potatoes, but also hear some great stories on how people really appreciate them. People love potatoes!”
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