In France, potatoes are seen as a vegetable. Why isn’t that the case here?
Conny
Patricia Schutte, nutritionist
Outside the Netherlands, the potato is indeed regularly seen as a vegetable. In the Netherlands we place the potato with bread and grain products. This has to do with the nutrients in potatoes and the place that the potato traditionally occupies with meals.
Nutrients in potato
Potatoes contain nutrients that are indeed more suitable for vegetables, but also nutrients that are more similar to grains. Potatoes mainly contain carbohydrates, potassium and vitamin B6, as well as fibre, protein, folic acid and vitamin C. Vitamin C, folic acid and potassium ‘fit’ more with vegetables. Carbohydrates, vitamin B6 and protein more with grains. Fiber can be obtained from both vegetables and grain products.
Health effects potato
There is insufficient scientific data on the health effects of potatoes. In terms of health, it is therefore difficult to give the potato a place.
Consideration: nutrients and place at the meal
So there is something to be said for placing potatoes with vegetables. After all, certain nutrients match. But there are also nutrients similar to bread and cereal products. Because in the Netherlands traditionally the potato is eaten as a source of carbohydrates for dinner and not as a vegetable, it has been decided to place the potato with bread and grain products.
But…
Whole grains and fiber from grains have been clearly shown to lower the risk of stroke, certain heart disease, type 2 diabetes and colon cancer. Because of the health benefits of whole grain products, it is therefore advisable to take whole grain products every day. You can also supplement it with potatoes.
Do you also have a question? Then ask one of our experts. Always go to your doctor with urgent questions, the experts are not the right person for that. They don’t diagnose either. The other conditions can be found here.
Patricia Schutte has been working as an information officer at the Nutrition Center in The Hague for more than 25 years. She answers questions about healthy, sustainable and safe food.
