From mashed potatoes, scalloped cheesy potatoes and the fast-food fried variety, potatoes are everywhere. They’re by far one of the most popular vegetables in America. But are potatoes good for your health?
There seems to be a lot of misconceptions on the health benefits of potatoes. UC Davis Health dietetic intern Adrienne Posner breaks down the nutrition facts on potatoes and why you may want to serve them at your next meal.
Are potatoes vegetables?
Yes. Potatoes are stem tubers and are considered a starchy vegetable. As the name implies, these vegetables contain more starch as compared to others. This isn’t bad. It means that the vegetable delivers more calories and typically less fiber.
Starch is a type of carbohydrate that our body breaks into glucose to use as energy. Therefore, starchy foods could be a good food source if you want to add calories or add a food choice to round out a meal.
Many cultures serve sides of rice, pasta, or potatoes with meals. These choices add calories and give a “full feeling” to hungry families. Other types of starchy vegetables include:
- corn
- green peas
- winter squash, such as butternut or acorn
- sweet potatoes and yams
- beans and lentils
Potatoes for health and nutrition
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. Another major nutrient in potatoes is potassium, an electrolyte which aids in the workings of our heart, muscles, and nervous system. Potato skin contains fiber, which is important for digestive health.
Different types of potatoes, especially those that come in other colors, contain more nutrients that have health benefits. In general, the darker the potato, the more antioxidants it contains. Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin A, an important nutrient for immunity and eye health. Purple potatoes are rich in antioxidants including anthocyanins which may prevent heart disease and cancer and boost brain health.1
Types of potatoes
Potatoes come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. There are many different varieties of potatoes. Some of the common types at most grocery stores include:
- Fingerling potatoes: Small, stubby, finger-shaped potatoes
- Russet potatoes: Large potatoes with dark brown skin and white flesh
- Sweet potatoes: Large potatoes with bright orange flesh and sweet taste
- White and red potatoes: Many sizes and shapes with either white- or red-colored skin
- Purple potatoes: Oval-shaped potatoes with a purplish-black skin and purple flesh
What makes potatoes unhealthy?
Generally, potatoes move into the less than healthy category when they are loaded with toppings such as cheese, sour cream, and bacon. When you are mindful of both portion size and toppings, potatoes can provide comfort and satisfaction with any meal.
So why eat potatoes?
In addition to being budget-friendly, there are many health benefits to potatoes. They’re rich in energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Try to include different varieties of potatoes in your diet to maximize the nutritional benefits.
Healthy potato recipes
These three healthy potato recipes from Good Food Is Good Medicine that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
This blog was written by UC Davis Health dietetic intern Adrienne Posner and reviewed by UC Davis Health registered dietitians.
FAQs
Yes, potatoes are naturally fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free. In addition, potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, and a good source of potassium. Foods that are good sources of potassium and sodium-free, such as potatoes, may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
What are the benefits of eating more potatoes? ›
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. Another major nutrient in potatoes is potassium, an electrolyte which aids in the workings of our heart, muscles, and nervous system.
What happens to your body when you eat potatoes everyday? ›
There can be benefits of eating a potato everyday. According to health experts, it could lower your blood pressure, as long as you aren't deep frying it or topping or pairing it with foods high in saturated fat. The fiber and potassium in potatoes are good for heart health.
What is the surprising health benefits of potatoes? ›
Potatoes are abundant in the same antioxidant found in coffee, called CGA. It's thought to help with blood sugar control, heart health and inflammation.
What is the most beneficial part of a potato? ›
The potato skin has more nutrients than the interior of the potato. It has lots of fiber, about half of a medium potato's fiber is from the skin. Baked Idaho® Potato with salsa makes for a low calorie healthy lunch, try it!
How many potatoes should a person eat per day? ›
Eating one medium-size potato a day can be part of a healthy diet and doesn't increase cardiometabolic risk — the chances of having diabetes, heart disease or stroke — as long as the potato is steamed or baked, and prepared without adding too much salt or saturated fat, a study by nutritionists at The Pennsylvania ...
What is the healthiest potato to eat? ›
Red potatoes are an excellent source of flavonoid antioxidants like quercetin, kaempferol-rutinose, catechin, and rutin. Red potatoes contain twice the amount of flavonoids as compared to white potatoes. 6They're also a rich source of several nutrients, including vitamin C and potassium.
Is potato healthier than rice? ›
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.
What are the pros and cons of potatoes? ›
Potatoes are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and resistant starch. However, fried potatoes may also come with some potential negative effects, including weight gain, especially when consumed in large amounts.
Are potatoes good for the liver? ›
In general, a balanced diet that is good for the liver should include a variety of fruits and vegetables, starchy carbohydrates (potato, rice, bread, and pasta), milk/soy drinks, beans and pulses, meat (fish and egg), and unsaturated oils. Food items that are high in fiber are good for optimal liver functioning.
Same goes for potatoes that have gone mushy or wrinkly—those are tell-tale signs of spoilage. In summary: It's probably not worth it to save a few tubers past their prime if they're sprouted and/or green.
What organs are potatoes good for? ›
Potatoes are abundant in potassium, says the National Institutes of Health, a mineral that supports your nerves, muscles, kidneys and heart. Potassium also plays a key role in regulating blood pressure.
Why shouldn't you eat the skin of potatoes? ›
Glycoalkaloids occur naturally in potatoes and are toxic to humans at high levels. Glycoalkaloids are concentrated in the peel and prolonged exposure of tubers to light will stimulate the formation of glycoalkaloids near the surface of the potato tuber. Glycoalkaloids are not broken down by cooking or frying.
Is it healthy to eat 3 potatoes a day? ›
The Bottom Line. It is totally fine to eat potatoes every day. While how you prepare and cook potatoes and how much you eat could possibly impact your health, whole potatoes with skin are a nutritious vegetable with health benefits.
Why do I feel so good when I eat potatoes? ›
Potatoes and Mood Regulation: The B6 Connection
The key to understanding the potato's impact on your happiness is its vitamin B6 content. This unheralded nutrient plays a pivotal role in the production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
Why do bodybuilders eat a lot of potatoes? ›
After a workout, potatoes can replenish carbs quickly, and topped with protein, such as Greek yoghurt or low-fat chilli, help repair muscle fibres. Plus, the vitamin A in sweet potatoes aids new cell growth and repairs post-workout microtears in muscle, helping you recover and refuel for your workout.
