Are Potatoes Bad For Your Health?

Q:

I recently heard of a study that linked high potato consumption to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.  Are potatoes bad for you?

A: 

The Harvard School of Public Health did release a study in 2014 that reported the above results and painted a bleak picture for potatoes.  However, the study grouped all potato products together:  potato chips, French fries, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, etc.

The problem is not the potato.  The problem is the way the potato is prepared and the normal serving size. The potato is the most frequently eaten vegetable in the United States.  It is also the vegetable most often ordered when eating out in the United States.  As you can guess, potatoes are most often consumed, in large portions, as potato chips and French fries by Americans.

Potatoes, when roasted, baked, or boiled are an excellent low calorie source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.  Below are some practical suggestions when consuming potatoes

•Leave the skin on to increase fiber and potassium intake.

•Bake, roast, or boil.

•Use butter, cream, sour cream, and oil sparingly or not at all.

•Treat it as a starch and not a vegetable (to force you to eat more vegetables).

•Limit portion size to one medium potato (about the size of a computer mouse).

•Substitute other starches for variety and health benefits (squash, peas, parsnips).

The following websites were used as references in answering the question:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/2014/01/24/the-problem-with-potatoes

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/7-bad-foods-that-are-actually-good-for-you/2012/05/22/gIQA7EsiiU_story.html

http://www.prevention.com/food/smart-shopping/nutrition-myths-about-healthy-fruits-and-veggies

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=56811&sc=3021