Consumer reports right the wrong of
the misunderstood spud
In the May 2010 issue of Consumer Reports,
#7 on their list of “On-Health” tips for staying healthy was eating a
baked potato. The article explained it would not be that far-fetched if
your doctor wrote you a prescription for a baked potato. Why? Here are the
proof points they gave readers:
“You get all these healthy benefits from
one medium-sized potato with skin:
You get 925 mg of potassium to help keep
your blood pressure in check.
You get 50 mg of magnesium to help
reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.
You get 5 grams of fiber to help keep
your bowels running smoothly and your appetite under control.
When Consumer Reports advocates, good
things come!
Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Assn., May 2010
Setting the Record Straight on Potato Nutrition
Zero fat
As much potassium as 2 bananas
45% of your daily recommended vitamin C
Only 100 calories
Loaded with fiber
When 96 percent of Americans don’t know the main attributes
of potatoes, it's time to pull out all the stops and set the record
straight. In response to the food confusion sweeping the nation,
The United States Potato Board (USPB) conducted extensive consumer
research and found that only 6 percent of survey respondents thought
that
potatoes were rich in vitamin C, when, in fact, one medium (5.3 ounce)
potato contains 45 percent of the recommended Daily Value for this
essential nutrient. And, only 34 percent considered potatoes with
skins to
be rich in potassium, when they are actually an excellent source of
this
mineral – higher than broccoli, spinach, or bananas. And, only
4.2 percent
of respondents thought that potatoes were BOTH rich in vitamin C and
potassium.
But there is good news.When focus groups were
shown the official FDA
nutrition label for potatoes, they were thrilled to learn that one of
their
favorite foods was actually good for them.They delighted in learning that
one medium potato is an excellent source of potassium, rich in vitamin
C
and a good source of fiber for only 100 calories, with no fat and no
cholesterol.
Microwave cooking is
beneficial in more ways than one!
The Mayo
Clinic suggests cooking potatoes in the microwave helps
retain the nutrients of the potato. When vegetables are cooked in
water, many of the nutrients are removed. A microwave oven and
traditional oven are the best places for cooking potatoes to retain
nutrient content.
Steamin' Spuds come in a convenient,
microwaveable steamer bag that steams
the potatoes and keeps them hot, fresh, and tasty. By using
multiple
mini-bakers in place of larger Russets, Steamin' Spuds cooking time
is drastically reduced!
Potatoes are a
popular and healthy choice.
Potatoes
are one of the most popular vegetables eaten in the
United States.
The
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that
the average American eats about 130 pounds of potatoes every
year.
According to the USDA, you can almost double your intake of
most nutrients
by eating both the skin and the pulp of the potato. The skin is a
good source
of fiber, iron, and vitamin C. By eating two small potatoes
instead of one
larger potato, you actually increase your nutrient intake because there
is
more skin on two potatoes then on one potato of equal weight.
Getting Kids to Eat Potatoes
Too
few fruits and vegetables
Kids, and their parents, should eat at least five daily servings of
fruits and vegetables - fruits and vegetables supply vitamins, like
vitamins A and C, as well as fiber and other important nutrients.
American kids eat less than four daily servings of fruits and
vegetables. Half of all American children eat less than one serving of
fruit per day, and about one in three have less than one daily serving
of vegetables, not counting vegetables that are fried. Although
vegetables and fruits are not abundant on fast food or restaurants'
children's menus, some fast food outlets have added baked potatoes,
side salads, fresh fruit cups, and salad bars.
Lay out a
baked potato bar with chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, grated
cheese, reduced fat sour cream, and other favorite toppings. A medium
baked potato provides a good source of your child's vitamin C for the
day, along with 3 grams of fiber, with skin.
Activities for Kids
Potatoes can be Fun!
Make a Stamp to
Decorate a Card!
Supplies:
-large potato
-knife to carve potato
-paper plates
-finger paints
-cards, paper bags, or paper to decorate
Have an adult help you cut a
potato in half.
Carve out a shape such as a heart,
star, circle, square or use a small cookie cutter to cut a shape
into the potato, cutting away the excess.
Put some finger paint on a paper plate.
Dip the potato into the paint.
Decorate wrapping paper, cards or a
picture to hang on the fridge!
Make sure to ask what's okay to stamp
on, before you stamp on anything, so you don't get into trouble!
Need a fun game for a
party?
"Pin-the-Face-on-the-Potato!"
Supplies:
-brown tag-board or cardboard
-colored construction paper, felt, or foam (found in the kids' craft
section of your local craft store)
-masking tape
-scissors
-washable markers
Have your parents help with the
cutting or to draw the face shapes.
Cut a large potato shape from the
tag-board or cardboard and draw small curves on it with marker to show
the dimples.
Cut eyes, ears, noses, mouths, hair,
and any other parts you think the potato should have.
Use the markers to add details to the
parts if you like.
Hang the large potato on the wall or a
door, wherever your parents want it hung.
Put rolls of masking tape or
double-sided tape on the back
of the parts.
Blind fold the participants, hand
them a part, spin them around, and let them go!
www.kitchenkleen.com
