Potatoes DON’T make you fat. It’s how and how much you eat them!

For as long as we can remember, potatoes have got a bad rap for being unhealthy and causing weight gain. But are they really the culprits? Dr Siddhant Bhargava has shared a video on his Instagram profile that busts this myth. Here’s what he says, “Trust me, potatoes are not the reason for your weight gain. Now, you know not to blame the bechara potato and ensure you eat everything in balance.”

All about potato

There is no single ingredient that can help a person lose or gain weight, says the expert. Coming to potatoes, it is all about how you eat them — that is exactly what makes a difference. 

“If you eat it in the form of a vegetable once a day, it is fine. But if you eat it as french fries with a fatty burger and milkshake, and you say that the potato fries made you fat, you are highly mistaken. Yes, potatoes are carbs and have a high glycemic index, but if eaten in moderation, everything can be included in your diet,” adds Dr Bhargava. 

Here are some health benefits of a potato that you MUST know about:

To begin with, potatoes are packed with fibre, and can help you stay satiated for longer, plus they are also believed to keep your digestive health in good shape. Let’s find out: 

1. Helps improve digestive health: The fibre that is found in a potato is called ‘resistant starch’ that packs in benefits of both soluble and insoluble fibre. This starch is believed to act as a prebiotic, and helps with digestive issues like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
2. Helps prevent diseases: Potatoes are filled with antioxidants, which means they can fight free radicals from causing cell damage. Try and leave the skin of potatoes on to get maximum benefits.
3. Helps to lower blood pressure: This beloved vegetable has generous amounts of potassium and magnesium. When your body doesn’t get enough potassium, it retains sodium, which in turn, is said to raise blood pressure levels. So, try to consume a potassium-rich diet that has potatoes to help you stay covered!

Also read: Potatoes aren’t bad for people with type 2 diabetes, says study

You could also try another variety of potato. Any guesses?

We are talking about sweet potatoes! They are low in calories and high in dietary fibre and water content. Since fibre takes time to get digested, eating them can keep you satiated and keep you at bay from unnecessary hunger pangs. Plus, a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that sweet potatoes have the ability to shrink fat cells. Sounds amazing, right?

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Moreover, another study published in the Food Research International reveals that sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants such as carotenoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids that are all helpful in reducing inflammation.