Potatoes Can Reduce Diabetes Risk

Posted by Stephanie Gallagher May 20, 2007

The poor, lowly potato. First, it lost favor in the low-fat diet craze. Then, the low-carb devotees practically banished it from existence. Now, comes a new study that shows that a diet rich in vegetables, including potatoes (as long as they aren't fried), is associated with a decreased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Interestingly, the study, conducted at the University of Melbourne, found that when vegetables, excluding potatoes, were examined, the beneficial reduced risk disappeared. So potatoes do have some health benefits.

Of course, this isn't news to nutritionists. They've long known that potatoes (with their skins) are high in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and manganese. What's more, potatoes have no cholesterol or fat.

Naturally, whether or not you get nutritional benefits from potatoes has a lot to do with how you prepare them. Here are some of my favorite healthy potato recipes:

• Scalloped Potatoes with Cheese
• Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
• White and Sweet Potato Gratin
• Potato Soup
• Latkes -- Potato Pancakes
• Butternut Squash Smashed Potatoes with Browned Butter Sauce