Potato Chat: Our monthly spud-spiration from Nutritionist & Food Writer Niki Bezzant
5 ways potatoes are great for your health
Potatoes get a bit of bad press – shunned by carb-phobics; unfairly blamed for weight gain.
But potatoes are a stealthy super food!
Here’s why you should include them in your diet.
- They’re full of vitamins and minerals
1 potato (210g – about an average size) contains 40% of your daily vitamin C, and twice the potassium of a banana, a fruit that’s often cited as a great source of this mineral. An average-sized banana has about 621mg pf potassium; our potato has 1500mg.
- They’re quality carbohydrate
Potatoes shouldn’t be feared for their carbohydrate content. They’re far less carb-y than other foods, like rice, and come complete with vitamins and minerals, as mentioned. An average potato has 23g carbs; whereas a cup of rice has 66g carbs.
Potatoes have more fibre too; which is great for us; a cup of rice has 1.5g fibre, and a potato has 4g fibre. Tip: leave the skin on for more fibre and vitamins.
- They’re great for gut health
When you cook and cool potatoes, they contain a special type of gut-friendly fibre, resistant starch. (This is also good for blood sugar control).
- They might help us LOSE weight!
Studies have found potatoes have high satiety (fullness) value – stopping us overeating
AND they contain a protein that may curb appetite.
- Potatoes are a natural, whole food.
Potatoes are naturally:
- Gluten free
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Unprocessed
AND… they’re delicious and totally versatile. There’s no need to fear this stealthy super food.