Potato Advocates Defend The Lowly Spud From Attacks By The “Obesity Lobby”

Does the potato really need to be defended as a healthy food? Apparently so, thanks to challenges from the “vociferous obesity lobby” and health-conscious consumers suggesting that the potato makes people fat. But potato boosters counter that the spud is indeed a nutritious vegetable, rich in fiber, potassium and vitamin C. To prove his point, Washington Potato Commission Executive Director Chris Voight has maintained a diet consisting entirely of 20 potatoes a day since October 1, cooked in a variety of ways – baked, boiled, mashed, etc. – but without any additives like cheese or milk. Among the health benefits he has charted: a nine-pound weight loss, 12-point drop in blood sugar, and a 52-point drop in his cholesterol level.