When cooked right, potatoes can be healthy

The tubers are a solid source of vitamin C and potassium, as well as fibre, if you eat their skin

- Alexandra Pattillo

Sweet potatoes tend to get most of the nutritional glory, but regular potatoes — russets, fingerlings, red and Yukon Golds - deserve another look. The tubers help to support your immune system, aid in various bodily functions and keep you energised.

“Potatoes often get a bad reputation” because they are commonly eaten in the form of French fries or potato chips, said clinical nutrition manager Tal Kleiner at NYU Langone Health. But when they are prepared in a healthy way, potatoes are an “amazing, nutrient-dense” food, she added.

THEY STOKE YOUR ENERGY

Potatoes are high in carbohydrates - a medium-size peeled russet potato has about 35g — but that does not make them “inherently bad”, said Ms Tara Schmidt, a dietitian and instructor of nutrition at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. It just means they may not be considered an “unlimited” food.

Potatoes are complex carbs that take longer for the body to break down and digest than simple carbs, so they provide a steadier source of energy, which helps you feel fuelled and fuller for longer, Ms Kleiner said.

But certain varieties do have a high glycemic index (GI), meaning they can rapidly spike blood sugar, she added.