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Types of potatoes and how to use them<\/p>\n
Potatoes are far from basic. Celebrate National Potato Day by mixing it up! Here are 5 different types of potatoes and how you can cook with them.<\/p>\n
Problem Solved<\/p>\n
It turns out the way in which potatoes show up on your dinner plate does in fact make a difference for health.<\/p>\n
If you eat three servings of french fries every week, you might be more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes, according to recent research published in the BMJ<\/a>. The same risk isn\u2019t present if you eat the same weekly serving of baked, mashed and boiled potatoes, the study concluded.\u00a0<\/p>\n When consumed in moderation and prepared appropriately, potatoes offer a few potential health benefits, from digestive support<\/a> to blood pressure management. They\u2019re carbohydrate-rich, contain a bunch of essential micronutrients and have a little bit of fiber<\/a> and protein.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read on for a few expert-approved tips on how to make potatoes a healthy addition to your diet.\u00a0<\/p>\n Are potatoes good for you?<\/p>\n A medium russet potato with the skin on has around 38 grams of carbohydrates, 4 to 5 grams of protein and nearly 3 grams of fiber, according to the USDA Food Data Central<\/a>. When it comes to micronutrients, they\u2019re high in potassium. This essential mineral is known to \u201chelp manage blood pressure<\/a>, because potassium helps reduce the effects of sodium,\u201d says Emma Gellerstedt<\/a>, registered dietitian at UW Health. They\u2019re also made up of vitamin C, niacin, copper, magnesium and trace amounts of iron, she says.<\/p>\n \u201cPotatoes are also naturally low in fat, cholesterol and sodium, which makes them part of a (heart) healthy diet,\u201d she says. What\u2019s more, the resistant starch and fiber found in potatoes might help support gut health, and therefore aid digestion, Gellerstedt adds.\u00a0<\/p>\n Are potatoes a good carb?<\/p>\n \u201c[Potatoes] can be a good carbohydrate when they’re prepared correctly, consumed in moderation and then also paired with other nutrients like lean protein, fiber [and] healthy fat,\u201d says Gellerstedt.\u00a0<\/p>\n When starchy foods like potatoes are paired with other macronutrients, it helps to slow down the digestion of the carbohydrates<\/a>. When there\u2019s \u201ca steadier release of glucose into the bloodstream,\u201d it could help prevent a blood sugar spike, she explains.<\/p>\n