The debate about what the ‘best food’ is has always been something on which no one can agree. People have argued that it is chocolate, mac n’ cheese or pasta, but let’s be honest. Potatoes are the ultimate vegetable and the best food there is.

There are multiple reasons I make this claim. One is the fact that potatoes are full of things our body needs.

According to Healthline, “Potatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which make them very healthy.”

Potatoes are also filled with fiber and resistant starch. Resistant starch is not broken down and fully absorbed by the body. Instead, it reaches the large intestine where it becomes a source of nutrients for the beneficial bacteria in your stomach. Research has linked resistant starch to many health benefits, including reducing insulin resistance, which, in turn, improves blood sugar control.

All the different ways you can prepare potatoes is another reason to how they are so good. They can be baked, boiled, fried, mashed, sliced and can be made into literally anything. You can make mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, potato soup, French fries, potato salad, potato pancakes, potatoes au gratin and so many other things that would be too long to list.

Some may say that potatoes can be unhealthy for an individual, and they are not wrong. However, it purely depends on the potato itself is prepared. If the skin is removed, you are losing a decent amount of the nutritional value. If you fry a potato, the calorie count is going to be higher than if you had not done so. The only concern behind the healthiness of potatoes is that, if you consume a large quantity of potatoes, they could possibly cause weight gain.

In defense to this, if potatoes are consumed a healthy amount, potatoes could help someone regulate or lose weight by curbing hunger pains and cravings. Some evidence shows that a certain potato protein, known as potato proteinase inhibitor 2 (PI2), can curb appetite. This protein appears to enhance the release of cholecystokinin (CCK), a hormone that promotes feelings of fullness.

In conclusion, potatoes have a lot of nutritional value, can be made into a variety of dishes and taste delicious. Potatoes are definitely the best food, and I will continue to stand by that.

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