These claims are disturbing because for centuries, potatoes have been a staple food for many countries around the globe. Many of the popular fad diets have given potatoes a bad rap lately. These claims are disturbing because for centuries, potatoes have been a staple food for many countries around the globe. Let's look at the facts. According to the National Potato Board, potatoes are a nonfattening, nutritious and wholesome food, which supplies many important nutrients to the diet.
Potatoes are a nutrient-dense food, which means they are low in fat and high in nutrients.
The goal for dietary fiber is 25-35 grams a day. Three grams may not sound like much, but if you add up all the other foods you have eaten that contribute to total dietary fiber for the day, you may appreciate this amount. Other beneficial nutrients in potatoes are phytochemicals, which are plant chemicals that act as antioxidants and protect cells from free radical damage that could result in cancers and heart disease. When compared to bell peppers, carrots and onions, potatoes have the highest overall antioxidant activity. Potatoes are topped only by broccoli for antioxidant activity.