Photo: Daniel Dan

Are potatoes healthy?

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.

health.ucdavis.edu - Potato health benefits and why you should eat more spuds

Can diabetic people eat keto desserts?

Keto brownies are a favorite because a simple, low-carb, and sugar-free recipe can provide you with the perfect brownies that are full of fudge and...

Last updated Oct 9, 2020

Do you lose weight on first day of keto?

It's important to remember that when you are on a low-carb diet of any type, you will lose several pounds in the first few days. That's because...

Last updated Feb 7, 2018

Promotion

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.

Why do I lose weight when I eat eggs?

Eggs can help you lose weight because of their high protein content, which keeps you full longer. That protein may also slightly increase your...

Last updated Aug 4, 2018

Can you eat eggs everyday for breakfast?

Is it OK to eat eggs every day? Because of their numerous benefits, it's OK to eat one whole egg, including the egg yolk, every day if you don't...

Last updated Jul 6, 2022

Promotion

Why are vegans so big?

"Many vegan alternatives (quinoa, beans, and lentils) actually contain more grams of carbohydrates than they do protein," said Hyman. Consuming more calories than your body can use, whether it comes from carbohydrates, protein, or fat, results in weight gain over time, she suggested.

insider.com - 10 reasons why a vegan diet could be causing you to gain weight - Insider

There are different health benefits linked to a vegan diet — including maintaining a healthy weight.

Some foods on the vegan diet won't help you lose weight automatically.

Other reasons why you might not be losing weight on a vegan diet has to do with health problems. Top editors give you the stories you want — delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Loading Something is loading. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy A vegan diet has been linked to a variety of different health benefits, as the Harvard T.H. Chan School Of Public Health suggests that a well-balanced plant-based diet can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and obesity. But while a steady diet of plant-based foods are thought to keep your body at a healthy weight, experts like registered dietitian Michelle Hyman, MS, RD, CDN, explained that replacing animal proteins with an excessive amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and vegan junk food, may actually result in unwanted weight gain if you aren't careful. So, if you are turning to a vegan diet to lose weight, you may want to reconsider some of your eating habits, especially if you have made no progress at all. To see what could be potentially hindering your vegan weight loss goals, INSIDER spoke more to Hyman and other experts about all the reasons why you may be struggling to lose weight on a vegan eating plan. Below are some things to keep in mind if you are struggling to shed some pounds with a plant-based diet.

What vegetables promote ketosis?

Vegetables form a large part of a ketogenic, or keto, diet. The best vegetables for keto diets include celery, tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms. A...

Last updated Jan 16, 2018

Can you have Coke Zero keto?

The bottom line. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, or Coke Zero, recreates the Classic Coke flavor without any of the sugar or carbs. It does so by...

Last updated Jan 9, 2020

Promotion

Are cucumbers healthier cooked or raw?

Vitamin C gets degraded on exposure to heat so these will lose their nutritive value while cooking. Cucumber: It is best to eat cucumbers raw as...

Last updated Nov 25, 2021

Promotion

Is panko healthier than bread crumbs?

The nutritional value of breadcrumbs is similar no matter the type. However, whole grain breadcrumbs contain slightly more fiber and minerals than...

Last updated Jun 18, 2022