Are Potatoes Healthy ?

Staff Reporter

New Delhi,May 25,2017 : Potatoes are naturally gluten-free and they’re packed with nutritional benefits needed for a healthy lifestyle. Potatoes are one of the world’s most versatile vegetables.

Though potatoes may be thought of as a fattening food, a medium, unsalted plain baked potato with skin has only 160 calories and is naturally fat and cholesterol-free. Each potato also packs about 4 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, which keeps us feeling full.

In fact, research suggest that potatoes are preferable to pasta in terms of their ability to reduce appetite after being consumed, and potatoes have even more potassium than a banana.

Potatoes also offer vitamin B6, vitamin C and iron, and are an excellent source of potassium. A medium potato provides about 20% of the recommended daily value for potassium, an important mineral that may help blunt sodium’s effects on blood pressure.

A study also found that eating six to eight small antioxidant-rich potatoes does not cause weight gain and can help lower blood pressure and risk of heart disease and stroke among overweight individuals with hypertension. Sweet potato,is a top food source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that gets converted to vitamin A in our bodies and is important for healthy skin and eyes.

The problem with potatoes occurs when they are fried in a lot of oil, in the case of French fries or hash browns, which significantly boosts calories, fat and sodium.

It is true that potatoes have high glycemic index (GI), which means they have a greater impact on blood sugar compared with foods with lower GIs, such as beans or non-starchy vegetables.

Potatoes offer important nutrients and can be a part of a healthy diet, as long as you are careful with preparation and portions.

Eating potatoes individually will satisfy your hunger for a longer time and will also provide all its benefits. In our classic Indian diet, potatoes are cooked in the form of subzi and paranthas and hence, are one of the healthiest options for our desi bodies.