The humble potato: so fluffy, so delicious, and yet so
misunderstood. When it comes to health
food, potatoes tend to have a bad reputation and therefore, are avoided by many
people. This is due to the fact that potatoes
are often served today either drenched in some kind of sauce, loaded with
cheese, battered, or of course, fried.
When potatoes are served this way, they are obviously not a health
food and should be consumed sparingly.
Another reason potatoes are avoided is due to their white color. If a food is white, people tend to think that
it contains little, if any, nutrients.
The truth is, most people don’t know how good potatoes
actually are for you. Good ol’ plain,
unaltered potatoes are naturally free of cholesterol and fat. They’re also a good source of Vitamin B6,
which is important for carbohydrate and protein metabolism, and dietary fiber,
which helps reduce the risk for many diseases and provides the feeling of
fullness. Potatoes are also high in
Vitamin C, an important antioxidant, and potassium. In fact, one potato contains more potassium
than a banana! Research indicates that a
diet that is high in potassium and low in sodium may help to reduce the risk of
hypertension, stroke, and help to lower blood pressure.
The next time you’re eating a potato, acknowledge the fact
that you are fueling your body with something that is delicious but also super
good for you.
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