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
Potatoes for health and nutrition
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 are the pros and cons of potatoes? ›
The Bottom Line. 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.
What part of the potato is the most nutritious? ›
While the skin does contain approximately half of the total dietary fiber, the majority (> 50%) of the nutrients are found within the potato itself. The only nutrient significantly lost when the skin is removed is fiber. Potassium and vitamin C are found predominantly in the flesh of the potato.
Why do I feel so good when I eat potatoes? ›
You've probably noticed that you feel calmer and more content after digging into a yummy baked potato or plate of home fries. And researchers may have figured out why: Potatoes boast rich stores of tryptophan and potassium — nutrients your brain and digestive tract use to produce the mood-steadying hormone serotonin.
Are potatoes a superfood? ›
First cultivated by the Inca Indians in Peru around 8,000 BC to 5,000 B.C the potato is the original Superfood. For decades this nutritional powerhouse (100 calories, little fat, and an excellent source of potassium and vitamin C) was one of the most reliable sources of caloric energy.
What are the negative effects of potatoes? ›
Eating fried potatoes might cause weight gain. Drinking potato juice can cause heartburn, bloating, and diarrhea. It is LIKELY UNSAFE to eat damaged potatoes, green potatoes, and sprouts. These can contain poisonous chemicals that cannot be destroyed by cooking.
Are potatoes healthier than rice? ›
Potatoes also have vitamin C, unlike rice. Plus, potatoes contain three times more minerals than rice, such as phosphorus, potassium and magnesium when you leave the skin on. Sweet potatoes on the other hand are even healthier than the standard potato, containing as much as twice the high amounts of vitamin!
When should you not eat potatoes? ›
As they age, or with improper storage, potatoes may develop sprouting and green spots. If there isn't any sprouting, you can use the color change as an indicator of spoilage. If the skin looks greenish or if there's sprouting present, you'll need to remove the sprouts or toss the whole potato, depending on severity.
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.
What is the healthiest way to eat a potato? ›
Cook potatoes by boiling, steaming or microwaving them without adding other ingredients. Preparing potatoes in this manner will ensure that they are very low in salt, sugar and fat. 3. Another method of cooking potato the healthy way is to cook it with its skin this provides fiber to the body.
Sweet potato benefits: micronutrient profile
Looking at the micronutrients, again sweet potatoes come out on top in 10 of 12 of the minerals we measured (baked sweet and regular potatoes have the same amount of selenium, if you're wondering).
How many potatoes should a person eat per day? ›
A. As a general rule in the potato diet, one can consume 0.9 to 2.3 kg of potatoes daily. A study shows that eating one medium-size potato, either baked or steamed a day, is a part of a healthy diet process that will reduce the risk of cardiometabolic risk, stroke, and diabetes.
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.
Why are potatoes considered unhealthy? ›
It's true that potatoes are high in starch or carbohydrates, the nutrients that cause spikes in blood sugar. But pairing them with foods high in protein, fiber and unsaturated fats can slow digestion and lead to a steadier release of glucose into the bloodstream.
