Wondering if baby potatoes are healthier than normal potatoes? Here's the scoop
Recently, many people like to eat small potatoes. Every time I go to the market to buy potatoes, small potatoes are always out of stock. Are you as curious as I am about "Are small potatoes healthier than ordinary potatoes?" Let's take a look quickly!
Are baby potatoes healthier than normal potatoes?
First of all, in terms of nutritional components, both small potatoes and ordinary potatoes are very nutritious. Both contain carbohydrates and can provide energy for the human body. The amount of carbohydrates contained in every 100 grams of small potatoes and ordinary potatoes is not much different, and they are both good sources of energy.
In terms of vitamins, both small potatoes and ordinary potatoes are rich in substances such as vitamin C and vitamin B group. However, because small potatoes are small in size, their nutritional density is relatively high. For example, under the same cooking method, small potatoes may have an advantage in the retention of vitamins. Because small potatoes are heated more evenly, the loss of nutrients is relatively less.
From the perspective of minerals, both small potatoes and ordinary potatoes have potassium, which is very important for maintaining the normal function of the heart and muscles.
In terms of dietary fiber, both small potatoes and ordinary potatoes contain a large amount of dietary fiber, which is beneficial to the human gastrointestinal tract and can help prevent constipation.
In addition, the glycemic index (GI) of small potatoes and ordinary potatoes is relatively close. However, the starch granules of small potatoes may be relatively smaller. In some cases, the digestion and absorption speed may be slightly faster, but this also depends on factors such as cooking methods.
In general, it cannot be simply said that small potatoes are healthier than ordinary potatoes. They both have their own nutritional advantages. The key still depends on how we cook and eat them. If the cooking method is healthy, such as steaming or boiling, whether it is small potatoes or ordinary potatoes, they are all healthy choices on the table.
What's the difference between potatoes and baby potatoes?
There are mainly the following differences:
Appearance difference
The most obvious difference between small potatoes and ordinary potatoes is that their sizes are different. Ordinary potatoes are relatively large in size and have various shapes, such as oval and oblong. While small potatoes are small in size and relatively uniform in size.
Nutritional difference
In terms of nutritional components, small potatoes and ordinary potatoes are very similar. Both contain carbohydrates and are an important source of energy for the body. However, the nutritional density of small potatoes may be higher. Because small potatoes are small in size, under the same weight, the surface area of small potatoes is relatively larger, and the distribution of nutrients may be more concentrated.
Taste difference
There will be a certain difference in taste between small potatoes and ordinary potatoes. When cooking ordinary potatoes, there may be a slight difference in taste between the outer layer and the inner layer. For example, when roasting a large potato, the skin may be very crispy, but the inside may still be relatively soft. Because small potatoes are small in size, they are heated more evenly during cooking, and the taste will be more consistent. Usually, the skin is a little charred and fragrant, and the inside is soft and delicate.
Cooking method
Ordinary potatoes are large in size and suitable for cutting into pieces, slices or shreds for cooking, such as making beef stew with potato chunks and stir-frying green peppers with potato slices. Small potatoes are very suitable for cooking whole, such as roasting small potatoes and making soup with small potatoes. They are super delicious.
Are baby potatoes healthier than rice?
Similarities: Baby potatoes and rice are both rich in carbohydrates and are the main source of energy for the human body.
Differences: Baby potatoes usually have higher levels of nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, vitamin C and potassium than rice; secondly, the glycemic index (GI) of baby potatoes is usually lower than that of rice, so baby potatoes have less impact on blood sugar.
Cooking advantages of baby potatoes
Taste: Baby potatoes usually have a softer texture than rice and are easier to digest and absorb.
Cooking methods: Baby potatoes are suitable for making soft and glutinous dishes such as mashed potatoes and stewed potatoes, while rice is more suitable for making fried rice, bibimbap, etc.
In general, baby potatoes are usually better than rice in terms of nutrients and health benefits. However, both can be part of a healthy diet. The key is to eat them in moderation and match them properly.
Are baby potatoes good for weight loss?
Small potatoes are of certain help for weight loss.
First of all, small potatoes are rich in dietary fiber. About 1 - 2 grams of dietary fiber are contained in every 100 grams of small potatoes. After dietary fiber enters the intestine, it will absorb water and expand, making you feel full and reducing the intake of other high-calorie foods.
Secondly, small potatoes are not high in calories. The calorie content of 100 grams of small potatoes is about 70 - 100 kilocalories. Secondly, the glycemic index (GI) of small potatoes is relatively low. Therefore, small potatoes are digested and absorbed relatively slowly in the body. Unlike some high GI foods, they will not cause blood sugar to rise rapidly, thereby reducing fat accumulation.
However, the cooking method of small potatoes is very crucial. If it is fried, small potatoes will absorb a large amount of oil and the calories will increase rapidly. For example, although fried small potato balls are very delicious, the calorie content is extremely high. The best way is to steam or boil small potatoes. In this way, their nutrition can be retained to the greatest extent and the calorie content is also relatively low.
In addition, although small potatoes are beneficial for weight loss, you cannot only eat small potatoes. You need to be paired with vegetables and protein foods. You can pair steamed small potatoes with roasted chicken breast and vegetable salad. It is nutritionally balanced and can help control weight.
How many baby potatoes equal a medium potato?
Generally speaking, a medium-sized potato is about 150 - 200 grams. For small potatoes, the weight of a single potato may be 30 - 50 grams.
If a small potato is 30 grams each, then about 5 - 7 small potatoes are equivalent to one medium-sized potato. If a small potato is 50 grams each, then about 3 - 4 small potatoes can be equivalent to one medium-sized potato.
In fact, it depends on the size of small potatoes and medium-sized potatoes. Because the size of potatoes varies greatly. And for different varieties of small potatoes, the weight will also be different.
Can I eat potatoes every day?
You can eat potatoes in moderation every day.
From a nutritional perspective, potatoes contain a variety of beneficial components for the body. For example, vitamin C. About 10 - 20 milligrams of vitamin C can be provided by every 100 grams of potatoes. Eating an appropriate amount can help enhance the immunity of the human body and is also helpful for skin health. At the same time, potatoes are also rich in potassium. Potassium is very important for maintaining the normal function of the heart and muscles.
Secondly, the dietary fiber in potatoes can promote intestinal peristalsis and make the human gastrointestinal tract healthier and prevent constipation. And the carbohydrates in potatoes can provide energy for the human body and are very helpful for maintaining daily activities.
Therefore, in life, you can eat some potatoes in moderation every day. But pay attention to the cooking method. If you eat fried potatoes every day, such as French fries or potato chips, it is not very healthy. It is best to use a healthy cooking method, such as boiling, steaming or baking. In this way, the nutrition of potatoes can be retained and not too many additional calories will be added.
In addition, even though potatoes are rich in nutrition, you cannot only eat potatoes. The diet needs to be diversified. You can be paired with vegetables, fruits and protein foods, such as meat and beans, so as to ensure comprehensive nutrition intake.
