Kerri Waldron
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for potatoes. While the paleo diet is not considered mostly carbohydrate-free like the keto diet, says registered dietitian nutritionist Jennifer McDaniel, via Everyday Health, people following the paleo diet naturally consume fewer carbohydrates due to the exclusion of processed carbs and refined grains.
According to Potatoes USA, potatoes are naturally high in carbohydrates, with one 5.2-ounce potato containing 26 grams. Because the roots are digested fast and carry a high “glycemic load”, Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health refuses to add potatoes to its list of healthy vegetables, making them a controversial food for paleo eaters.
But in 2016, the Paleo Foundation conducted extensive research on the white potato, tracing its roots to South America over 13,000 years ago (before commercialized farming) and compared the various methods potatoes are consumed in present-day cultures. The foundation concluded that white potatoes are natural whole foods, despite their high starch content and often unhealthy preparation methods.
With minimal processing (including skin) white potatoes can be enjoyed on a paleo diet, per Healthline. UC Davis Health claims that potatoes provide many nutritional benefits including high counts of potassium and vitamin C. The claims against potatoes may have initially caused you to question the health benefits of carbohydrates, yet some experts suggest the exclusion of certain foods may be doing more harm than good.
Source: thedailymeal.com
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