The Wellness Wrap

Nutrition:

• Potatoes are a carbohydrate, carbohydrates fuel all the tissues in our bodies, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose for fuel in our bodies.
• Glucose is the best energy source for our brains.
• A medium potato contains 150 calories, 40 gr of carbohydrates, 5 grams of protein, almost no fat, ~2-4 grams of fiber.
• Potatoes are not considered high fiber, but the skin contains most of the fiber content in the potatoes.
• Potatoes contain higher levels of potassium, vit C, folate and vit B6
• Potatoes have a bad rap because we mostly associate or the highest consumption of potatoes is as French fries and potato chips that are high in fat and salt content.

Cooking Methods:

• Boiling- causes the water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin c and potassium to leach out. The longer you boil the more nutrients are lost. You can boil with the skin on to retain more.
• Frying- cooks quickly and will maintain some of the nutrients, however, greatly increases the fat content including at times trans fats which is associated with several negative health effects.
• Baking- Simplest way to prepare potatoes, they retain their nutrients and offer fiber with the skin. However, caution with the typical toppings of butter, cheese and sour cream. Instead opt for veggies, light sour cream and salsa to decrease the fat content.
• Roasting- Similar too baking, usually potatoes are chopped and added seasoning and oils.
• Microwaving- one of the fastest and most nutrition ways to prepare potatoes. Preserving many of the nutrients lost via other methods.

History:

• Potatoes go back 10,000 years in South America.
• The first wide scale cultivation was Ireland   in the 17^th century, by the 18^th century hit had spread to most of Europe and was a staple at most meals. It was high in calories, long shelf life and cheap.
• The first American crops were in New Hampshire and considered an “Irish potatoes” because the plants came from Ireland.
• In the last 19^th century, a stain of potato Blight (disease) spread through America, Europe and made it’s way to Ireland during the Great Famine. It has taken a century for the population to recover from people emigrating and many dying during that time.