Produce of the Month

The produce of the month for November often gets a bad reputation but is full of health benefits. I am talking about potatoes. It is easy to put this vegetable in the chips category and automatically think that this vegetable is not great for your health. The good news is that this vegetable as a whole food promotes your wellbeing in many ways.

If you enjoy the whole potato including the skin, there are many health benefits including vitamin C, iron, potassium, B vitamins, calcium, and fiber. Fiber helps you feel fuller for longer and promotes a healthy weight as well as supports the health of your gut. Potassium helps to lower your blood pressure and helps to keep your heart healthy. B vitamins are needed to create energy from the food you eat.

Iron is an important mineral as it helps to transport oxygen around your body and supports a normal functioning immune system. Vitamin C also helps your immune system function at its best as well as is needed to make the protein collagen. Collagen helps to keep your skin looking youthful and keeps your tendons and ligaments healthy and strong.

To use potatoes as a whole food try slicing into wedges and top with your favorite herbs and spices over adding salt. Potatoes also work well in a potato salad or try a stuffed potato with baked beans and cheese in the microwave for an easy meal with a few Corn Thins slices on the side.