In a recent interview, Shirzad Chunara, MHSc RD, shared her thoughts about the health benefits of Creamer potatoes.
Nutritional value
We asked Shirzad how she would respond to people that don’t see Creamer potatoes in the same nutritional light as other vegetables.
“Potatoes have some very good nutritional values and when eaten with the skin, they also provide a source of fiber,” she said.
She went on to say that Creamers contain natural phytochemicals, carotenoids and phenols—the same that can be found in other vegetables.
Importance of vitamins and minerals
Creamer potatoes are a good source of vitamins and minerals—but why is this an important element of good health?
Shirzad told us that a 100g serving of Creamer potatoes could provide more than 400mg of potassium (10% of the daily adult requirement). Potassium is important because it helps counter-balance sodium and helps reduce blood pressure.
“There may also be up to 20mg of vitamin C in 100g serving of potatoes, which is almost 25% of your daily requirement,” she said.
She also mentioned that one vitamin found in Creamer potatoes that many people don’t know much about is B6—with up to 25% of your daily requirement found in a 100g serving:
“B6, also known as pyridoxine, helps in converting food energy and assists your body in metabolizing fats and proteins—and also helps produce melatonin and the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which affect mood. This may be the reason that potatoes are often considered comfort food.”
A source of good carbs
Potatoes have often been dismissed as a nutritious vegetable because of the carbohydrate myth.
Shirzad told us that our bodies need carbs for energy in order to complete daily tasks: “A 100g potato is almost 80% water and contains only 17g of carbohydrate, mostly in the form of starch. Although carbs may get a bad rep in the dieting world, potatoes really are a good vegetable option for healthy energy; especially for children, athletes and seniors who may not always be able to get the right amount of calories into their diets.”
As a Registered Dietitian, Shirzad agreed that Creamer potatoes should be part of a healthy diet. “Potatoes are nutritious, and easy to prepare,” she said. “They are also very easy to digest for most people and there are few (if any) known allergies to potatoes.”
Favorite recipe
And how does this dietician like her potatoes?
Shirzad likes to mix yellow, purple and red skinned potatoes in bowl—and then sprinkle on some salt, pepper, fresh herbs, garlic, butter and a squeeze of lemon before microwaving until tender.
“It’s the go-to side dish in our home for any barbecue,” she says.
We’re not surprised—that sounds both tasty and healthy.
