In addition to starch, potatoes contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They're rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. Potatoes were a life-saving food source in early times because the vitamin C prevented scurvy.
Potatoes are a natural source of fiber, protein and starchy carbohydrates and these are certified as heart-healthy food by American Heart Association. It is one of the most common and vital food sources in the world.
Potatoes tend to get a bad rap when it comes to eating a healthy diet. But they're a nutritious and versatile vegetable, not to mention one of the most popular foods in the world. Instead of being dismissed as "bad," potatoes can be a centerpiece of healthy meals.
1. They're surprisingly healthy. According to Consumer Reports, store-bought mashed scored "good" in the nutrition category based on calories, fat, saturated fat, sodium, sugars, iron, calcium, and fiber—with most products prepared with 2 percent milk, unsalted butter, and salt.
A. Yes, it is safe to consume potatoes every day as long as you cook them without much salt or saturated fats. One medium-size potato can be part of a healthy diet. It doesn't increase cardiometabolic risk and the chances of having diabetes and heart disease.
Of rice, pasta, potatoes, and bread, potatoes are the healthiest of these starchy and complex carbohydrate foods. This is because potatoes are dense in nutrients, containing essential minerals, vitamins, and other micronutrients. Potatoes are also high in fiber, helping to satiate hunger and regulate blood sugar.
Potatoes are a healthy choice when boiled, baked, mashed or roasted with only a small amount of fat or oil and no added salt. French fries and other chips cooked in oil or served with salt are not a healthy choice.
Nutrients found in potatoes:
Fibre – much more than rice, particularly if eaten with its skin. B vitamins and vitamin C. Magnesium, iron and potassium (high amounts, more than banana) Low calorie – 200 calories in four small boiled potatoes
However, if you're brave enough to click on the KFC nutrition calculator, the mashed potatoes and gravy are hardly the worst offenders as far as unhealthy side dishes. A serving of KFC mashed potatoes and gravy contains 130 calories, 4.5 grams of fat (1 gram of which is saturated), and 520 milligrams of sodium.
Baked, mashed, or boiled, potatoes actually provide more energy-delivering complex carbohydrates than a cup of pasta. All varieties--russet, red, yellow, purple, and sweet--contain impressive quantities of vitamins and minerals.
Red Desiree Potatoes are part of the Red Potato family and are considered to be the healthiest of all potatoes, as they contain the highest levels of vitamins, minerals and healthy phytochemicals.
Potatoes are 80 percent water, so softness is usually just a sign of dehydration. But if they're extremely mushy or shriveled, do not pass go. Likewise, small sprouts can be removed with a vegetable peeler or knife. Long or large sprouts are a sign that the potato is probably past its prime and should be tossed.
According to Julie Upton, MS, RD, and member of our Medical Expert Board, the healthiest way to eat your potatoes is to leave the skin on and bake them. "The healthiest way to eat a potato is baking it with the skin on," says Upton. "Baked potatoes add no additional calories like frying or roasting with oil."
One-half cup of mashed potatoes with milk and butter contains about 110 calories and 4 ounces (a medium order) of French fries has close to 400 calories.
They're also chock full of starch, which is a carbohydrate. But even though a potato is considered a complex “healthy” carb, your body digests these carbs faster than other kinds of complex carbs. These broken-down carbs flood your blood with sugar. This makes your blood sugar spike quickly.
Because of their starch content, french fries are a high-glycemic food, posing a cardiovascular and metabolic health risk. However, they are high in fibre, water, and nutrients, which are beneficial. Therefore, limiting them and viewing them as an unhealthy once-in-a-while treat rather than a staple may be wise.
McDonald's has, not only the highest calorific average but also the highest fat content, with 13 grams of fat per serving. Coming in second, is none-other than KFC's Colonel Sanders himself at 11.43 grams of fat per serving, only 1.57 grams lower than its rival, McDonald's.
Nutritionally speaking, instant mashed potatoes offer roughly the same vitamins and minerals as the real mashed potatoes with the exception of Vitamin C. To please palates, they tend to be higher in sodium, significantly higher than the amount of salt home cooks would add when making them at home from scratch.
In addition to starch, potatoes contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They're rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. Potatoes were a life-saving food source in early times because the vitamin C prevented scurvy.
Basmati rice is a staple in the Indian diet. This rice is grown in India's desert regions, making it a good source of nutritive minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium. It's also high in dietary fiber and has a low glycemic index. This makes it an ideal grain to have in your meal plan following a healthy diet.
For lower calorie and carbohydrate content, rice comes out top. But if protein and fibre is your aim, pasta wins over rice. That said, both can play a part in a healthy diet - and as the nutritional differences are quite small, it often comes down to which you would prefer.
You could try grains like couscous, quinoa and barley to introduce a new flavour to your favourite dishes. Barley and quinoa are both low-GI foods, and quinoa is also a source of protein and fibre, and works particularly well in salads.
Potatoes are also a good source of potassium, which is essential for maintaining a healthy heart. Together, extra virgin olive oil and potatoes can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall cardiovascular health.
According to the book, 'Healing Foods' by DK Publishing House, "potatoes are high in chlorogenic acid and anthocyanins, chemicals that help to lower blood pressure. The polyphenol in purple potatoes may also help." Additionally, potatoes are also a good source of potassium.