The Irish had no such fears and took to potatoes with such fervour that an Irish man in the 19th Century would eat up to 7 kilos of potatoes a day. In parts of Asia, potatoes are expensive and are therefore given high status. Weddings, birthdays and feasts in the Philippines always feature potatoes and in Indonesia, potatoes are prepared lavishly and exchanged to strengthen social ties in the month following the fast of Ramadan. Potatoes have been an important part of Australian meals for over 200 years. They are a true family food and are enjoyed by almost everyone from about 6 months of age throughout life.
Recent studies show it's almost impossible to get fat on the humble spud.
For a start, potatoes are one of the most filling foods available. When you're full, you simply can t eat any more. Only fat adds to body fat and potatoes have virtually no fat. The body burns up excess carbohydrate and the old idea that eating an extra potato a day would add a gradual deposit of fat didn't take this into account. For practical purposes, potatoes are not fattening.