Leading a healthy lifestyle involves consuming a balanced diet and doing sports at least 3 times a week. It is useless to exercise if we do not accompany it with a good diet. Choosing carefully the foods we consume when we exercise is essential for the body to have enough energy, as well as to enhance the speed of recovery. The potato is a fairly common food in anyone’s diet. While it is true that many are against it for considering it a “fattening” food, the truth is that it has many health benefits. Especially when we do exercise. Therefore, we are going to see the benefits of potatoes.
The potato is composed mainly of water (75%), carbohydrates (18%), proteins, and other important nutrients in the performance of the exercise. Also, they have a lot of potassium, which benefits the regulation of the muscles. It helps eliminate liquids and toxins and is a great ally when it comes to losing weight. It is a food that is basically fat-free, so, contrary to what many people think, it is a great food to include in a diet when we exercise. It provides a large number of micronutrients and is a good source of amino acids. It has a lot of fiber and provides a feeling of satiety, which helps you lose weight.
Potato benefits in exercise
- One of the main characteristics of potatoes is the amount of energy they transport to the body. They help us to have enough energy to perform the desired sport. Also, they are rich in vitamins and have a lot of potassium, which helps the muscles recover.
- If you decide to have the potato cooked or roasted, you will be consuming fat-free food.
- They have a lot of carbohydrates, in charge of providing energy to the body. What’s more, carbohydrates, although many people are against them, should represent at least half of the daily calorie consumption.
- They are an excellent source of fiber. The potato helps regulate intestinal transit. Also, it helps control digestive function. If you decide to cook it and consume it with the skin, it has even more fiber.
- They are a source of vitamin C. While it is true that this vitamin is found in many fruits, no other starchy food contains as much vitamin C as potatoes.
- It is rich in vitamin B. B vitamins have many functions in the body. For example, they help metabolize carbohydrates and provide a lot of energy to the body. Also, it helps to keep the skin young and our nervous system remain stable.
- It is a wonderful source of potassium. Besides, it also contains, although in small amounts, other minerals such as magnesium and iron.
- It is basically food without a partner. That is, it has almost no salt. According to the World Health
- It is advisable not to consume too much salt since there is a close relationship between sodium consumption and the risk of having high blood pressure, that is, suffering from hypertension.
- The potato is a great ally in the fight against overweight. A serving of cooked potato without skin (180g) has about 140 calories, which is half the calories of a plate of cooked pasta or rice. Of course, you do not have to eat them fried.
Because of this, the potato is a great ally when we do exercises and do sports, both for its benefits in our physical appearance and in terms of vitamins and minerals.
