Are potatoes more like vegetables or grains?
By some recent counts, Americans are doing slightly better on the numbers of servings of fruits and vegetables they consume daily. But on a closer look, it appears the increase may be a result of piling on the potatoes. That leads to the question: Nutritionally speaking, are potatoes grouped with vegetables or with grains such as pasta and rice?
The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) in Washington, DC, offers this answer: Since they are good sources of vitamin C and potassium, potatoes are more like vegetables than grain products, which is why the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Guide Pyramid groups potatoes with vegetables.
Higher calorie counts
But the potato’s carbohydrate and calorie levels are much higher than those of most vegetables, which is why people with diabetes who need to control blood sugar are taught to group potatoes with bread, pasta, and other high-carbohydrate foods. The AICR Dietary Guidelines to Lower Cancer Risk recommends five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day, but potatoes are not counted toward that total.
For the best supply of nutrients and phytochemicals that promote good health, meals should include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, especially those that are dark green, deep orange, and red, such as leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and berries. People trying to cut calories often find it helps if they avoid eating both potatoes and bread or rolls at a meal.
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