Whether it’s for a dish for your shabbos table or a side at a smorgasbord, potato recipes have been feeding our families for generations. Certain recipes are passed down to preserve memories and tradition, but with the addition of lots of oil or margarine, some of those dishes cast aside the importance of preserving health.
As parents, we ideally want to serve up foods that magically combine nutritious and delicious in every bite. Even for a nutritionist, that’s a challenging feat, but I’m happy to say that potatoes can have a place on your plate without a helping of guilt!
Studies have shown that nearly all Americans fail to meet dietary recommendations for potassium (97 percent) or dietary fiber (95 percent). The white potato provides as much fiber as and more potassium than many commonly consumed vegetables or fruit. A medium skin-on baked potato weighs in at just 163 calories, a whopping 941 mg of potassium and 3.6 g fiber. As a comparison, a banana provides 422 mg of potassium and 3.1 grams of fiber. Potatoes also provide vitamin C, vitamin B6, and magnesium, in addition to small amounts of high-quality protein. Many of us are carb-phobic, not realizing that when it comes to weight loss, potatoes can certainly be consumed as part of a weight loss plan as long as you pay attention to portion sizes and methods of meal preparation.
To help you take a break from calorie-laden kugels and latkes, you might want to try my Colorful Potato Salad. The ingredients pair well with other fresh herbs and veggies, so feel free to add some of your own favorites.
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