If there’s one veggie that has unfairly earned a bad reputation, it’s the poor potato. Yet, despite the unfair press, potatoes remain the most popular vegetable in the U.S., with the average American eating a whopping 49 pounds per year.
That might make you wonder, what’s behind their bad rep? Perhaps the answer is the way we love to eat them. Let’s face it, many of us enjoy our spuds deep-fried and salted or slathered in butter and sour cream. Delicious, yes, but not prepared in the most healthful way. So, you might be surprised to hear that potatoes actually have lots of good things going for them.

Here are seven lesser-known benefits that will make you look at potatoes in a whole new way.

1. They’re Found in Nearly Every Global Cuisine


Craving a little adventure? One delicious way to explore the world is through your taste buds, and potatoes make the perfect passport. Found in countless cuisines worldwide, spuds can be prepared in a seemingly never-ending list of ways.

Read EatingWell: The Hidden Benefits of Potatoes.