potatoes

What a funny word! potatoes come in all shapes and colors and sizes. But they all do great things for you! 

The three most popular potatoes in my pantry are sweet potatoes, rustic potatoes, and purple potatoes (bc they're fun mostly). 

But the truth is their nutritional content doesn't vary all too much (sweet potatoes might be slighter richer in nutrients). So pick which you like best!

Potatoes are a starchy vegetable. Made of long polysaccharide units, your digestive system breaks it down into maltose (disaccharide) in your mouth (saliva). The maltose is further broken down in your small intestine into 2 glucose molecules. Your body cannot break down the fiber in potatoes so it just goes to your large intestine so you can poop it out. You might think wow that's useless. But it's really not! The added fiber allows for slower digestion so you can absorb energy from the food at a slower rate than just straight sugar. Otherwise you'd be on a sugar rush.

When your guts absorb the glucose, you get energy! You can use up this energy or you can store it in your liver at glycogen. They have a high glycemic index so they tend to increase your blood sugar pretty quick (direct energy). 

Not only do potatoes deliver energy, but also nutrients. They're full of electrolytes (potassium), vitamin C, vitamin B6, zinc, and phosophorus. All this meaning...they will keep you beautiful! Literally! Eat the skin because that's where most of the nutrients are stored. 

Enjoy potatoes. But enjoy them the right way. You don't need to smother them in sour cream and bacon bits for them to taste yummy!! Love potatoes for who they are, and they will love you back. 

I love to add potato to my salad bowls

dip potato wedges in hummus

make my own french fries

eat it like toast

or bite it like an apple:)