Nutritional benefits are one of the biggest focuses when marketing potatoes in 2024.
Increasing your intake of root vegetables and other complex carbohydrates can reduce anxiety symptoms, according to Stockholm-based Lifesum’s list of the top 5 dietary changes to improve your mental health.
“Many people are unaware of the connection between food and mental health,” says Signe Svanfeldt, lead nutritionist at Lifesum. “A nutritious, balanced diet has a positive impact on our energy, mood and gut flora, which in turn impacts on mental health.”
Earlier this year, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) shared 10 reasons to eat more Idaho potatoes, highlighting their various nutritional benefits.
Jamie Higham, President and CEO of IPC, said: “Not to mention, it’s versatile and affordable, making it an ideal staple for busy families looking to eat healthy.”
According to the IPC, Idaho potatoes contain the following essential nutrients:
- Vitamin C
- potassium
- vitamin B6
- Dietary fiber
The IPC noted that potatoes are naturally gluten-free, making them a great carbohydrate option for a gluten-free meal plan.
10 Nutritional Selling Points of Potatoes by IPC
- Healthy Carbohydrates: The Idaho potato is the first vegetable to participate in the American Diabetes Association’s Better Choices for Life program.
- Versatility: Potatoes pair perfectly with any protein, carbohydrate, or vegetable, can be enjoyed any time of the day, and can be cooked in hundreds of different ways.
- Gut health: Cooked and cooled potatoes produce resistant starch, a type of fiber that acts similarly to soluble fiber and promotes gut health and metabolism. Reheat the remaining fiber and enjoy a nutritious meal.
- Feeling full: Idaho potatoes are high in fiber, making them a satisfying and filling food. On the satiety index, potatoes consistently rank as one of the most satiating foods you can eat at a meal.
- energy: Idaho potatoes are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, providing the body with a sustained source of energy. The carbohydrates found in potatoes are gradually released into the bloodstream, providing a steady supply of energy without causing sudden spikes or dips in blood sugar levels.
- Heart health: Idaho potatoes have been recognized as a heart-healthy food by the American Heart Association due to their excellent nutritional profile.
- Antioxidant: Incorporating Idaho-grown potatoes into your daily diet can reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Potatoes are rich in beneficial compounds such as flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, which actively prevent the accumulation of harmful molecules.
- Many cooking methods: Instead of frying your Idaho potatoes, try baking, steaming, roasting, or grilling them to reduce excess fat and calories while retaining their nutrients.
- Vitamin C for the Skin: Including potato skins in your recipes can increase your overall nutrient intake and promote digestive health, as they contain large amounts of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and supports the immune system and skin health. Consuming the peel reduces food waste and helps the environment.
- potassium: One potato contains more potassium than one banana, which is essential for regulating blood pressure, nerve function, and muscle contractions.
This article is excerpted from the May 2024 issue of Supermarket Perimeter. For the entire potato feature and other content, please visit Digital Edition here.
