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health matters.

the starchy-food part of a meal,

and they’re a good source of

carbohydrate in our diets, so they

fall into the starchy-carbohydrate

food group,” says BNF nutrition

scientist Dr Stacey Lockyer.

Potatoes are, in fact, just as

nutritious as many vegetables

that count towards our five

a day. But if spuds were grouped

as vegetables and we added

additional starchy foods to our

meals, such as rice, pasta or bread,

we could end up consuming

unhealthy amounts of starch,

Dr Lockyer says.

In the US and Australia, where

potatoes are categorised as

vegetables, they come with specific

dietary advice. In America, it’s

recommended consumers control

portion sizes, while in Australia the

advice is potatoes should form only

part of the daily vegetable intake.

PILING ON THE POUNDS?

So, what of claims potatoes

contribute to weight gain and

other health problems? Over

the years, some studies have

suggested links between potatoes

and obesity, type 2 diabetes and

cardiovascular disease. But

many of these studies failed to

differentiate between the ways

the potatoes were cooked.

In 2016 researchers at the

University of Copenhagen

published a study in the American

Journal of Clinical Nutrition that

did take potato cooking methods

into account. They found no

“convincing evidence” to link

obesity, type 2 diabetes and

cardiovascular disease with

mashed, boiled or baked potatoes.

But they did find that French

fries (chips in the UK) “may be

associated” with an increased risk

of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

They added that further research

would be needed.

In fact, some evidence suggests

that boiled potatoes are more

filling than other starchy foods

such as bread and rice and may

actually be helpful in maintaining

a healthy weight.

NOT FAIR!

Some nutritionists believe that

grouping potatoes as a starch

when they have the nutritional

value they do is what has created

the false perception that potatoes

are unhealthy.

Dr Emma Derbyshire, registered

nutritionist and advisor to the

Food Advisory Board (part of

a body that represents farmers),

would like to see potatoes count

towards our five a day: “The white

potato has been a staple and

affordable part of the diet for

hundreds of years,” she says.

“Bearing in mind the nutritional

value white potatoes can

bring, their inclusion within

UK five-a-day fruit and

vegetable guidelines should

be reconsidered.”

THE BOTTOM LINE

Potatoes are a valuable source

of nutrients and fibre and can

be enjoyed as part of a healthy

diet. There’s no evidence that

mashed, boiled or baked

potatoes cause weight gain.

Some research suggests a link

between chips and obesity and

type 2 diabetes, but further

research is needed.

Potatoes don’t count as one

of your five a day

T TRUE T FALSE

Potatoes contain no important

nutrients T TRUE T FALSE

Potatoes are a valuable source

of vitamins C and B6 and fibre

T TRUE T FALSE

Potatoes are proven to cause

weight gain T TRUE T FALSE

Baked or microwaved whole,

skin on, is the healthiest way

to cook potatoes T TRUE T FALSE

TRUE OR FALSE?

ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES.*SOURCE: STARCHY CARBOHYDRATES

IN A HEALTHY DIET: THE ROLE OF THE HUMBLE POTATO,

PUBLISHED IN THE MEDICAL JOURNAL

NUTRIENTS

, NOVEMBER

2018

WHAT’S IN

A POTATO?

See below for

the percentage

of the daily

recommended

intake of nutrients

(for men) in

a medium

baked potato

(about 200g)*

Vitamins C & B6:

almost 50%

Potassium: 30%

Folate: 28%

Iron: 24%

Magnesium: 18%

Fibre: 15%