Are Potatoes Healthy For You? They sure do seem to get a bad rap when it comes to whether or not you should eat them. Lets look at some of the health benefits that these little white nuggets can provide and you can decide for yourself ~

Potatoes can be a nutritious part of a healthy diet, but it depends on how they are prepared. Potatoes are a good source of several essential vitamins and minerals, including potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. They also contain fiber and carbohydrates, which can provide a good, healthy, and clean source of energy.

Potatoes are rich in Vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells against the effects of free radicals such as smoke, the sun’s UV rays, or x-rays. In early times potatoes were a life-saving food source because the potatoes’ Vitamin C helped prevent scurvy. 

Another major nutrient in potatoes is potassium, an electrolyte that assists in the functioning of our heart, muscles, and nervous system. It is also beneficial to support normal blood pressure as it balances the pH levels in the body and blocks the acid-base reactions that cause high blood pressure and heart disease.

And let’s not forget about Vitamin B-6. Vitamin B-6 helps keep the nervous system and immune system healthy, prevent and treat anemia, helps turn food into energy, as well as promotes brain health. Fun Fact: Potatoes are one of the major resources of Vitamin B6 for Americans. That is one powerful vitamin if you ask me!

However, many popular ways of preparing potatoes, such as frying them into chips or smothering them in butter and sour cream, can add unhealthy amounts of fat and calories. To make potatoes a healthier option, try boiling, roasting, or grilling them, and season them with herbs, spices, or a small amount of olive oil instead of butter.

Additionally, eating the skin of the potato can add more fiber to your diet. Fiber is known to lower cholesterol levels, help control blood sugar levels, boost digestive health, and aids in achieving a healthy weight.

As you can see, potatoes can be healthy, but it’s important to choose preparation methods that limit the addition of unhealthy fats and added sugars.

Here is a simple recipe for roasted potatoes:

Ingredients:

• 4 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the olive oil, salt, black pepper, thyme, and garlic powder.
3. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy.
5. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

These Roasted Potato Wedges are tasty and could accompany a variety of main courses as a side dish. Try adding or experimenting with other seasonings such as Italian Seasoning, Cajun Seasoning, Taco Seasoning, Onion Powder, Red Pepper Flakes, and Paprika to add different flavors to your potatoes. Enjoy!