I know potatoes are relative inexpensive. I also find it easy to believe that the potato is the second most consumed food in the United States. The first is milk products, according to the Idaho Potato Commission. I believe that. The average American eats 120 pounds of potatoes a year. That is almost 365 per person, or a potato a day. I and most children of the Great Depression were raised on potatoes. And we still love them.
But good for the waistline? We have talked about this before; I always forget. Potatoes have such a bad reputation. But the lowly potato is a nutrient-dense food. It provides good nutritional return for the calories.
So we will go over it again, for my benefit. Because like nearly everyone else in the world, I am trying to eat healthier, lose weight, feel better, and all those things we promise ourselves at the beginning of every new year. When I start my healthy eating and diet, potatoes are usually out.
But it is not the fault of the poor potatoes. How many times have you heard this? It is not the potatoes, but what you put on them. Yes, potatoes themselves are good for you.
A baked potato, a boiled potato, 10 potato chips, or 10 french fries, have 110 calories. Compare that with a cup of cottage cheese -- generally thought of as diet food -- which has 130.
