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By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

Did you know that there is a vegetable with over 4,000 varieties that are grown in all 50 states? That vegetable would be the potato! Potatoes are a very popular veggie and it’s easy to see why because they are so incredibly versatile when it comes to flavoring and preparing them. There is a lot of debate as to whether or not they are actually healthy for you, so let’s see what a dietician’s perspective is on the issue.

According to registered dietician Becky Kerkenbush, potatoes are actually very good for you. But it just depends on how they are prepared and served. She says that at their base, potatoes are very high in fiber, vitamins C and B6, as well as potassium. But these healthy potatoes are easily made very unhealthy when turned into French fries, potato chips, or baked potatoes loaded with bacon, cheese, sour cream, and butter.

For a bit of Arizona agriculture trivia, potatoes grown in Arizona are harvested in spring and early summer.

You may be wondering, what are some healthier ways to prepare and serve potatoes? Kerkenbush suggests using dry methods when cooking them, meaning you bake them, roast them, or grill them, as this preserves the most nutrients.

Boiling potatoes actually causes them to lose some of their nutrients. She also suggests serving them with healthier toppings and seasonings. For example, you can cube them and toss them with some olive oil and herbs. Or, for a loaded baked potato, swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt, as it has less fat and more protein and still gives a similar tang and creaminess.

So, it turns out that potatoes are healthy after all! Considering that you prepare them well and serve them with healthy toppings of course!

For some healthy recipes that use potatoes, check out the recipes page on the Fill Your Plate blog!