Potatoes Are One of the World’s Favorite Foods – Here’s Why They’re Good for Us

Throughout history, everywhere in the world, the humble potato has always been there. First cultivated by Andean civilizations thousands of years ago, potatoes are now grown, eaten and loved in almost every country on the planet. This is no surprise: Potatoes are affordable, accessible, easy to cook, and versatile. They also fill, comfort and absorb flavors well.

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Popular snack in North India hello tikkifor example, it consists of spices and boiled potatoes. In England, bratwurst (sausage) and mash (potatoes) is a classic comfort food. Boxty is an Irish pancake made with mashed potatoes, and in Korean, Gamja ongsimi means potato dumplings in broth. The list goes on. Potatoes are a certified classic around the world, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon (nor should they).

But while potatoes are popular (Americans eat about 126 pounds of potatoes per person per year!), are they healthy? Let’s find out. Here’s everything you need to know about potato nutrition, plus some of the most popular types available and the all-important recipes.

RELATING TO: How to Make Crispy Restaurant-Style Fries at Home Without a Deep Fryer or Air Fryer

Are potatoes healthy?

For a while now, people have been grappling with the question: Are potatoes healthy? Although they are root vegetables, most varieties don’t actually count as one of your 5-A-Day. This is because it is high in starch, a type of carbohydrate that our bodies break down into glucose. “When eaten as part of a meal, potatoes are often used as a substitute for other starch sources such as bread, pasta or rice. Therefore, they do not count towards your 5-A-Day,” notes the UK’s National Health Service.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not healthy; It is far from that. Potatoes are still a rich source of fiber as well as vitamins and minerals. But how good they are for you depends on how you eat them. For example, french fries are made from potatoes, but they are not considered healthy due to their salt and saturated fat content. The same goes for other fried and processed potato-based foods, such as hash browns.

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potato nutrition

Whole potatoes cooked without added salt or oil can provide many nutritional benefits. They are a good source of fiber and carbohydrates and also contain nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, magnesium, folate and manganese, as well as protein. They are also a very good source of potassium. They actually contain more potassium per serving than bananas.

Eating one medium potato a day, steamed or baked without added salt or saturated fat, can be part of a healthy, balanced diet, according to research from Pennsylvania State University. Emily Johnson, one of the authors of the study, said: “Eating chips or chips should definitely be discouraged, but there are healthy ways to prepare potatoes, so I think lumping them all together would be a bit unfair to the poor potatoes.” Today In 2020.

Potato types

Because potatoes are so popular, hundreds of varieties are offered for sale around the world. In the UK Maris piper potatoes are one of the most popular varieties, and in Italy punta potatoes are in demand. in india, kufri jyoti Potato is the most grown crop. It would take too long to list All Here are some of the most popular types of potatoes in the world.

And fun fact: sweet potatoes aren’t on this list because they’re not actually the same as regular potatoes. They have different skin colour, taste and grow differently (need tropical temperatures). They are also more nutritious and unlike regular potatoes To do Count it as one of your 5 a day.

one russet potatoes

In the United States, red potatoes (also known as Idaho potatoes if grown in the state) are the most popular potato variety. They are relatively large, have dark brown skin and white flesh, and are often used in mash, baked potato recipes, and are also processed into french fries.

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2 baby potatoes

As you might guess from their name, baby potatoes, also known as “new potatoes”, are much smaller than red potatoes. This is because they are deliberately removed from the soil before they are fully developed. Their skin is paler, their insides are creamier, and their flavor is slightly sweeter.

3 Yukon Gold potatoes

With distinctive yellow skin, flesh, and pinkish eyes (small bumps or indentations that will sprout if left alone), Yukon gold potatoes are generally small or medium in size. They are widely available throughout the United States and can be used in most recipes that call for potatoes (though they are especially well-suited to pureeing because of their creamy texture).

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4 red potatoes

Not all potatoes have brown or yellowish skins. Red potatoes have (spoiler alert) reddish skin that is usually very thin. These potatoes are still white on the inside, but less starchy than other brown-skinned varieties.

5 Finger chips

The main difference between french fries and regular potatoes is their shape. While most potatoes are round in shape, fingerlings are narrow and finger-shaped. They are small, like baby potatoes, but that’s because they grow that way naturally, not because they’re removed from the soil too early. The skin is thinner than other potatoes (which means peeling is usually unnecessary), and the white flesh is smooth, earthy and buttery.

potato recipes

If all this talk of potatoes is making your stomach growl (and who can blame you), then good news: we’ve got recipe inspiration, too. Potatoes can be cooked in many different ways, in many different dishes, but here are just a handful of examples for inspiration.

Ashley McLaughlin

one Simple Herbed Vegan Potato Salad

Small red potatoes are an excellent choice as an accompaniment to a simple salad, especially when mixed with a delicious, tangy, garlicky-lemon dressing. If you want to take things a step further, you can also add some crispy vegan bacon bits.
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Luce Socks

2 Easy Miso-Butter Pan Smashed Potatoes

You’ll need smaller baby potatoes for this delicious miso butter-infused mashed potato pancake. This recipe is easy to make, super garlicky and delicious, and will perfectly complement any vegan meat or protein choice.
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Terry Hope Romero

3 Potato Leek Soup with Broccoli Gremolata

Thanks to their creamy texture, potatoes make an excellent base for soups, especially comforting, winter-warming options. You can use just about any potato you want for this delicious soup, but Yukon or red potatoes will work especially well.
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Danielle Keither

4 Cheesy Cauliflower Potato Casserole

If you try to find a better match than vegan cheese and potatoes, the truth is, you’ll struggle. These two materials were created for each other. Add cauliflower, breadcrumbs, and garlic and you’ve got yourself the ultimate comfort food.
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Hannah Kaminsky

5 Crispy Potato Latkes

Hanukkah or not, crispy latkes (which are actually potato pancakes) are always delicious. Pair with applesauce or vegan sour cream for extra flavor.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on the south coast of England.