10 Reasons to Love Potatoes

1. It’s no coincidence that February is Potato Lovers’ Month and American Heart Month. Potatoes (with the skin) are a good source of potassium. Research shows that potassium may help lower high blood pressure, contributing to a heart-healthy diet.
2. This one’s simple: one medium-sized potato (5.3 oz.) has 110 calories and is fat- and cholesterol- free.
3. Did you grow up listening to your mother tell you to eat your vegetables? Well, potatoes are vegetables, so eat away!
4. It’s cold season and what you eat can help you fight off the winter bug – a medium-sized spud has nearly half the recommended daily value of vitamin C and is also a good source of vitamin B6.
5. Potatoes are also a source of dietary fiber, a complex carbohydrate, which is known to increase satiety and help with weight loss.
6. Russets, reds, fingerlings, blues, purples, yellows and whites – with six common fresh potato varieties, there’s always a new color or texture to experiment with.
7. No time to boil or bake? That’s a good thing! The quickest methods for cooking potatoes, microwaving and steaming, are also the healthiest because they allow the potato to retain the most nutritional value.
8. Potato casserole, potato salad, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, roasted potatoes – what do these dishes have in common? They can all be made in less than 20 minutes and without turning on the oven or boiling water!
9. Potatoes with skin rank highest for potassium content among the top 20 most frequently consumed raw vegetables and the top 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits. That means they have more potassium than a banana, more than broccoli, more than an orange, more than spinach…you get the idea!
10. For a potato dish that’s packed with potassium, try the Quick & Healthy Microwave Mashed Potatoes recipe (enclosed), or visit www.potatogoodness.com for more healthy potato recipes.