When you’re on diet to lose weight people would surely tell you that you should avoid consuming potatoes as these are starchy and rich in carbohydrates which will prevent weight loss. However, how if we tell that if you’re trying to lose some weight, you should eat potatoes.
The truth is that the potatoes are thought as a healthy food item and have many health-related benefits. So you can control the portion size, follow a healthy method of cooking and do not allow your daily calorie consumption to exceed, potatoes could be a good addition to weight loss diet. Let us look at some health benefits you can get by consuming potatoes.
1. Controls high blood pressure
While using potatoes skin in our recipes, we peel them and use them. Most people know that potato peels are beneficial for those who suffer from high blood pressure. Also, potato skin is high in potassium and so plays a vital role in controlling high blood pressure. A large baked potato contains about 1600 mg of potassium that is nearly half of the recommended amount for one day.
2. Helps in weight loss
Opposite to the popular belief that potatoes can make you gain some weight, we would tell you exact opposite. If you’re trying to lose some weight, you must make sure that you eat potatoes with the skin. Potatoes are high in fiber content making them an important part of the weight loss diet. The fiber from the potatoes will improve the digestion and would keep the heart healthy.
3. Loaded with vitamin C
When we look for vitamin C rich food we generally think of the citrus fruits and would never think of the potatoes. However, the reality is that the potatoes are also high in the vitamin C. A medium-sized potato could provide you almost 45% of the daily vitamin C requirements. Vitamin C is excellent for improving the immunity; however it could lower level of stress by overall reducing secretions of stress hormones.
4. Improves digestion
There is a general belief that potatoes can make you put on some weight, but we tell you that the truth is opposite. If you’re trying to lose some weight, make sure to consume potatoes with the skin on. Also, potatoes are high in fiber content which makes these a vital part of the weight loss diet. The fiber content of the potato will improve your digestion as well as keep the heart healthy.
5. Acts as a diet food
You surely did not know that potatoes are low in sodium and the sugar content and they also don’t contain fat at all. Therefore, a potato isn’t going to make people put on some weight but in case you roast it and add it to other unhealthy topping and the additives, you will definitely gain weight.
6. Has vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is an important nutrient which is required for healthy functioning of your body. Also, vitamin B6 aids in the production of necessary brain hormones. Eating one potato with the skin intact can get you 46% of the recommended quantity of vitamin B6.