Potato nutrition - Potato facts

Here is some info about potato nutrition. Most people love potatoes anyway.

Knowing about the nutrition in potato and the way cooking changes its nutrients may help you in using them properly.

Potatoes have better shelf life compared to many other vegetables when they are stored properly.

Potatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator like some other vegetables. So they do not block your fridge shelf space.

Most housewives always have potatoes at home. These can be used when no other vegetable is available for cooking.

What is the potato nutrient content

Fresh potatoes contain 80% water and 20% starch.

Potato is

sodium free
Cholesterol free.
low in fat content
Good source of dietary energy and some micro-nutrients.
Dietary antioxidants that prevent diseases related to ageing
Contains dietary fiber
protein content of potato is high compared to other root vegetables.

Vitamins in Potato

Rich in vitamin c that promotes iron absorption.
Contains Vitamin b1, b3, b6.

Minerals in Potato

potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and complex carbohydrates.

Acids in Potato needed by our body.

folate, pantothenic acid and riboflavin

Potato cooking methods - Cook potatoes by boiling, baking, roasting, deep frying and pan frying

Cooking potato causes some nutritional loss.

Cooking potato by Baking - loss of vitamins and mineral is lower
Cooking potato by boiling - there is loss of some vitamin c.
Boiling potatoes with skins prevents loss of nutrients. Eating with skin adds to nutrients.
Cooking potato by Frying - reduces mineral and ascorbic acid content. Frying also causes high absorption of fat and increases calorie content.

By itself potato is not fattening. It is the cooking method and the quantity of oil that changes the good points of potato into bad.

Baked potato is a low calorie food, which prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

It is a comfort food. It satisfies and that helps in weight control as you feel full faster when you eat potato.

Only take care you do not eat the fried potatoes in any form if you want to lose weight. Avoid eating French fries, potato chips etc.

Potato is a convenience food. It is easy to cook and it cooks fast. Potato consumption should be balanced with other vegetables and whole grain foods.

Potato is not so good for diabetic people because of its high carbohydrate contents.

There was a time when potato was considered bad for those who want to lose weight.

But now it is said that though fried potato is bad for everybody, the boiled potato is good for you as it gives a feeling of fullness fast. Well, the research continues.

You may also like to read about potato facts and How to store potatoes.You may also visit Potato Recipes