Possibly due to the over-consumption of french fries, which are typically made by deep frying potatoes in unhealthy, refined and often rancid vegetable oils, the potato has also become associated with weight gain and obesity. True, if you often eat traditionally prepared french fries, you will likely gain weight. Same is true if you eat a potato loaded with butter, margarine, sour cream, cheese and bacon bits. You will gain weight. But, the weight you gain is from the unhealthy fats used to prepare or top the potato - the oil, butter, margarine, cheese, bacon. The average potato itself actually has virtually no fat!
In fact, the average potato (especially one grown in organic soil) and eaten with the skin, has a high water and dietary fiber content, and is rich in important vitamins, minerals, micro and other nutrients.
The potato's high fiber and low fat content actually make it an ideal weight loss or healthy weight maintenance food. We need not look any further than the bodybuilding community. Bodybuilders are obsessed with low body fat and the potato (minus the tag-along fats mentioned above) are a staple in many bodybuilders', figure and bikini models' diets.
Potatoes are also an excellent choice for persons with gluten intolerance or sensitivity. According to the Celiac Sprue Association, potatoes, sweet potatoes and yams are free from gluten. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness and other similar organizations recommend the use of potato flour as a gluten-free alternative to flours made from wheat, rye and barley.
See: Gluten-Free Flour Types
This infographic entitled "The Potato Unpeeled: Nutritional Facts and Information" sheds some light on the often overlooked nutritional and health benefits of the potatoes.
Infographic source GoIreland.com, found on Graphs.net - The Potato Unpeeled (click link to see a full-size version of the infographic).
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15 Foods to Include in an Every Day Diet
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