By Alexandra Pattillo
For The New York Times
Sweet potatoes tend to get most of the nutritional glory, but regular potatoes (russets, fingerlings, red and Yukon Golds) deserve another look. The tubers help to support your immune system, aid in various bodily functions and keep you energized.
“Potatoes often get a bad reputation” because they’re commonly eaten in the form of French fries or potato chips, said Tal Kleiner, a clinical nutrition manager at NYU Langone Health. But when they’re prepared in a healthy way, potatoes are an “amazing, nutrient-dense” food, she added.
They stoke your energy
Potatoes are high in carbohydrates (a medium-size peeled russet potato has about 35 grams), but that doesn’t make them “inherently bad,” explained Tara Schmidt, a dietitian and instructor of nutrition at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota — it just means they may not be considered an “unlimited” food.
Potatoes are complex carbs that take longer for the body to break down and digest than simple carbs, so they provide a steadier source of energy, which helps you feel fueled and fuller for longer, Kleiner said.
But certain varieties do have a high glycemic index, meaning they can rapidly spike blood sugar, Kleiner said. Diets rich in foods with a high GI have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Waxy potatoes, like fingerlings and red potatoes, tend to have a lower GI than russet or Idaho potatoes, she explained, and boiled and roasted potatoes have a lower GI than fried or mashed ones.
To help manage blood sugar spikes and slow digestion, Schmidt suggested “meal balancing” by pairing potatoes with lean protein, healthy fats and nonstarchy vegetables.
They support a healthy immune system
Potatoes are a surprisingly solid source of vitamin C. One medium peeled russet potato offers about 25% of the recommended daily amount. Vitamin C is essential for the growth and repair of tissue. It also acts as an antioxidant, keeping your immune system strong and helping to protect against chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Potatoes are also full of phenolics, a type of polyphenol that helps reduce inflammation, regulate immune function and protect cells from damage.
And they contain a modest amount of vitamin B6, which is needed for cardiovascular, immune and mental health, said Mary Ellen Camire, a professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Maine who has studied potatoes’ health benefits.
They have more potassium than a banana
Potassium is an electrolyte that the cells in your nerves and muscles need to function, and it helps keep blood pressure in check. But few people get enough potassium in their diet.
One medium peeled russet potato has about 900 milligrams, compared with 650 milligrams in a similar serving of banana. That’s roughly 30% of the recommended daily amount.
And don’t forget the skin
Potato skins contain much of the vegetable’s phenolics, as well as its fiber. One medium baked potato with the skin on has about 10% to 20% of the recommended daily amount of fiber, depending on a person’s age and sex.
The darker the color of the skin and flesh, the more nutritious the potato, said Mary Ellen DiPaola, a senior outpatient dietitian at the University of California, San Francisco.
Purple and red potatoes are packed with pigments called anthocyanins, which can promote cardiovascular health, slow starch digestion and help stave off cognitive problems, Camire said.
Is there a best way to eat potatoes?
To fully reap the nutritional benefits, preparation is the key. When baked, roasted or boiled with minimal add-ons, potatoes are virtually fat-free. But piling them with butter or sour cream or frying them can quickly torpedo their nutritional profile. Instead, experts recommend a drizzle of olive oil or hot sauce.
Potatoes are a more nutrient-dense option than processed white starches such as rice or pasta, DiPaola said. “And who doesn’t like potatoes?”
Does the beloved potato actually deserve its unhealthy reputation?
