Learn about the unexpected benefits of eating potatoes, what nutrition they contain and how they can be part of a healthy diet.
You may know that potatoes contain carbohydrates but did you also know they’re a good source of other nutrients that support our health in a variety of ways?
Potatoes are the most commonly purchased vegetable in the U.S. and for good reason. They’re incredibly versatile, in terms of how they can be prepared and what they can be paired with. The possibilities are endless; which is why it’s always a good idea to add potatoes to your grocery cart.
In addition to their versatility, another great reason to incorporate them into your diet is because they’re a nutrient dense vegetable. As well as containing carbohydrates which are the main source of energy for your muscles and brain, they provide other macronutrients, and vitamins and minerals that our brains and bodies need on a daily basis — some of which may surprise you!
Four unexpected benefits of eating potatoes:
- Help Replenish Our Muscles After a Workout. Carbohydrates are the primary fuel for your brain and a key source of energy for muscles to help perform and recover from exercise. A medium (5.3 ounce) skin-on potato contains 26 grams of carbohydrates. Because a single session of intense and/or prolonged exercise can deplete carbohydrates in the body it is important to replenish them. Adding potatoes to your meals can help power your performance!
- Can Significantly Contribute to Our Daily Requirement for Vitamin C. Potatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a vitamin that acts as an antioxidant stabilizing free radicals, and helps prevent cellular damage. It also helps keep our immune system working properly. A medium (5.3 ounce) potato contributes 30% of our daily value of Vitamin C.
- Provide Our Body With Other Important Nutrients. A medium (5.3 ounce) potato provides 10% of the Daily Value of Vitamin B6, 6% of the daily value of iron, and 7% of the Daily Value (2 grams) of fiber. Vitamin B6 plays an important role in carbohydrate and protein metabolism, iron is necessary for the health and function of red blood cells, and fiber helps with satiety as well as providing other health benefits.
- Provide Plant-Based Protein. One medium-size (5.3 ounce) potato with skin-on provides 3 grams of plant-based protein. While 3 grams might not seem like a lot, the protein content in a potato exceeds that of all other commonly consumed vegetables. Just like carbohydrates are important for athletic performance, so is protein – as it is a key component of our muscles.
Potato Recipes Inspiration:
- Cheesy, Crispy Smashed Potatoes
- Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Potatoes
- Olive Oil and Yogurt Whipped Potatoes
This blog post was in collaboration with Potato Goodness. As always all opinions are my own and I appreciate your support!
