What’s in your tots? Millet vs. Potato
Everyone knows and loves the classic tater tot. They’re nostalgic, comforting and kid-friendly!
So why did we choose to re-invent this timeless dish with millet instead of potato?
We are passionate about health, using whole, simple, clean ingredients, and our goal is to create products that are as healthy as they are delicious! Our millet tots are a signature recipe from our food truck – you can learn more about our story here.
Millet is a nutrient-dense pseudo grain (much like quinoa) that’s gluten-free, high in protein, packed with vitamins and minerals and easily digestible. It also has a low glycemic index, which translates to stable blood sugar levels over a period of time. Nutritionally speaking, millet is the obvious choice!
White potatoes, on the other hand, are very low in nutrients, and are known as a nightshade vegetable, classified by a chemical called solanine. Solanine can have inflammatory side effects in many, especially those affected by digestive issues or autoimmune disease. In addition, white potatoes are an especially high source of carbohydrates, giving them a high glycemic index. This can translate to abrupt spikes and drops in blood sugar levels.
White potatoes aren’t inherently bad. But, it’s important to distinguish that in most packaged foods you buy, like your beloved tater tots, you’re not buying a wholesome potato product alone. You’re likely buying a processed, deep fried potato byproduct mixed with fillers, binding agents, and other questionable ingredients that give it better texture and a longer shelf life – this is where you want to be careful!
This is where we differentiate from every other tot on the market. In addition to being the only non white potato, whole-grain tot, our Millet Tots are made with just a few simple, real-food ingredients! We don’t use any preservatives, fillers, binding agents, or toxic vegetable oils like you will find in most popular tater tot brands.
More so now than ever, paying attention to ingredients on nutrition labels is paramount to your health, and nutrition labels can be tricky to navigate. When buying packaged products in general, did you know that it’s more important to focus on ingredients over nutrition facts?
Not all calories and not all fats are created equal, so it’s important to know your ingredients! Here are some tips and tricks for reading nutrition labels next time you’re at the grocery store:
- Look for and avoid these main ingredients: refined sugar (high fructose corn syrup, evaporated cane juice, sucralose), hydrogenated oil, artificial flavors, food dye (Yellow No. 5, etc.), preservatives, MSG (monosodium glutamate) and emulsifiers.
- Food packaging (what you see on the front of the box or can) is often misleading and can be full of false advertising. Gimmicky labels like “low fat” and “sugar free” often mean more toxic, artificial ingredients.
- In general, you will have more success with foods that contain five ingredients or less. Make sure you know what the ingredients are (real foods, words you can easily pronounce and understand). This way, you are less likely to consume hidden toxins.
Another hidden toxin lurking in many processed foods is MSG, known for its flavor-enhancing capabilities. It’s been linked to cancer among other illnesses, and it’s something you want to avoid. Technically, MSG stands for Monosodium Glutamate, but it can also be disguised by these code words:
Glutamate
Autolyzed yeast
Yeast nutrient
Texturized protein
Glutamic acid
Yeast extract
Calcium caseinate
Hydrolyzed protein
Sodium caseinate
Monopotassium glutamate
Natural flavors and flavorings
Soy protein
Protease
Anything enzyme modified
Powdered milk
Maltodextrin
Carrageenan
Make it a habit to start reading the ingredient list on every packaged product you buy – once you familiarize yourself with this, you will start to notice the difference between clean, healthy products and highly processed, chemical-laden products!
Next time you’re shopping for tater tots, take note of the ingredients used in popular potato-based brands. You’ll love our Millet Tots as a cleaner, healthier, and equally (if not more) satisfying alternative, made with simple, organic, real-food ingredients!