Private MD News

Potatoes may be smart choice for those with high cholesterol

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

For individuals who have received unhealthy cholesterol tests results, improving their heart health may be as simple as eating a few more potatoes each week.

The American Heart Association recently certified potatoes as a low-fat, low-cholesterol food, meaning that it may be safe to consume in moderation as part of a heart healthy diet.

In recent years, potatoes have gotten a bad nutritional rap. Due to the fact that they are often accompanied by butter, sour cream, cheese and even bacon, they become associated with high cholesterol and excess fat.

However, the new certification by the American Heart Association confirms that when they are served sans these accoutrements, potatoes actually pose no threat to an individual's heart health.

"For years, the Idaho Potato Commission has been working hard to communicate to consumers that Idaho potatoes are an important part of a healthy, nutritious diet," said Frank Muir, president and CEO of the IPC. "We're proud that the American Heart Association, a revered and incredibly important health organization, agrees with us."

His group added that potatoes have no fat, no cholesterol and provide individuals with 45 percent of their daily recommended allowance of vitamin C.