Potatoes often get a bad reputation, dismissed as “empty carbs.” But new University of Washington research suggests they might be one of the most misunderstood foods.
🔬 The Study:
Scientists analyzed the nutritional quality of nearly 2,500 carbohydrate-rich foods—and potatoes ranked nearly as well as whole fruit.
Yes, you read that right. Potatoes can be highly nutritious.
The Real Issue? It’s Not the Potato.
The problem isn’t the potato itself—it’s how we prepare it.
❌ Deep-fried in oil → Becomes French fries.
❌ Loaded with butter & sour cream → Turns into a calorie bomb.
❌ Highly processed into chips → Engineered to be addictive.
But a plain potato? It’s actually:
✅ Nutrient-dense → Rich in potassium, fiber, and essential vitamins.
✅ One of the most filling foods per calorie → High satiety index.
✅ Versatile & natural → A whole, unprocessed plant food.
💡 The Takeaway?
Instead of avoiding potatoes, focus on how they’re prepared.
🥔 Boiled, roasted, or baked (without excess fat)?
✅ A nutritious, satisfying carb source.
🥔 Deep-fried or turned into chips?
❌ A different story.
Source:
Drewnowski A, Maillot M, Vieux F. Multiple Metrics of Carbohydrate Quality Place Starchy Vegetables Alongside Non-starchy Vegetables, Legumes, and Whole Fruit. Front Nutr. 2022 May 2;9:867378.
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