A Low-Carb Potato?

Yes, low-carb potato products may finally be in the works...

(CNN) - For dieters, potatoes have been scorned, rejected and castigated -- the Rodney Dangerfield of vegetables, they get no respect.

Many weight-loss programs, including the Atkins and the South Beach diets, advocate meat and cheese over high-carbohydrate potatoes, pasta and bread.

Come January, carb-counters who love potatoes may find cause to rejoice a bit. Florida growers will be pitching a potato they hope will be a hot one -- it claims one-third fewer carbs than the ordinary spud.

"Consumers are going to love the flavor and appearance of this potato and the fact that it has 30 percent fewer carbohydrates compared to a standard Russet baking potato," said Chad Hutchinson, an assistant professor of horticulture at University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

After five years of testing in the sandy soils near here in the heart of Florida's potato country, Hutchinson knew it tasted great, had a shorter growing cycle, was disease-resistant and able to handle Florida's extreme weather. He then learned about its lower-carb properties.

"That was just gravy," he said.

Independent research shows about 31/2 ounces of the new potato contain about 13 grams of carbohydrate compared to around 19 grams in the same size serving of a Russet Burbank.

The new baseball-size potato will be available in supermarkets and restaurants in January.

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