Mommy Ginger
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Potatoes, Potatoes!

Part of growing up was encountering the countless times of being told the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables daily. I know, because I’m now continuously encouraging Zeeka to be religious in adding these healthy and natural crops to her daily food intake. My husband and I have also seen the benefits of having fresh produce
on our plate.

Since we’re always on the go, we have to make sure what we’ve eaten will suffice our energy to tackle the day. Carbohydrates have a bad reputation when you want to lose weight. For weight watchers like me, I say carbohydrates aren’t that bad because its main function is to give you energy. It all boils down to moderation and balance in everything we consume coupled with proper exercise.

I’ve learned to eat more vegetables and protein often because I don’t want to sacrifice my health. It sure wasn’t easy on my end, but I know Zeeka will benefit how I started to change my perspective in eating what’s right.

Aside from the leafy greens, vibrant cherry tomatoes, and refreshing zucchini, the potato is a vital crop that contains a lot of nutritional value. What we get in our home are US Potatoes. We get US Potatoes from supermarkets like S&R, SM, Rustan’s, and Robinson’s.

Do you know how important eating potatoes are? Here are some facts you might have missed about this crop:

1. Potatoes are a great source of carbohydrates, potassium, and energy. One serving of potato has more potassium and energy than a banana. Also, it’s a better alternative than eating white rice or bread if you’re trying to start with an effective healthy diet.

2. Potatoes are fat-free, low in sodium, and cholesterol-free. I didn’t know that this power crop is also a great source of vitamin C!

3. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, potatoes are the leading vegetable crop in the United States! It’s also being hailed as the world’s fourth most consumed along with wheat, rice, and corn.

4. In the early 1950s, most Americans preferred to devour fresh potatoes. However, it gradually
changed when they were introduced to processed potatoes such as fries, wedges, and
hash browns. Processed potatoes have grown more favored when the technology to properly
freeze the vegetables improved.

5. Here in the Philippines, we’re usually exposed to russets. But in the US, there are thousands of potato varieties. These varieties are further classified to either Russet, white, yellow, purple, blue, fingerling, petite and red.

6. A key to fulfilling your weight loss goal is consuming foods that make you feel full longer.
According to Dr Jacquie Lavin, a weight-loss doctor for Slimming World, it’s better to eat complex carbohydrates like potatoes, rather than simple carbohydrates such as sugar or bread
which give a short energy boost and are usually followed by hunger pangs. Potatoes are one of the best options that can help reduce binge-eating.

You should take heed that the precise quantity of potatoes you’d consume has still to be
measured, a few good and suggested servings of potatoes daily would also help lower blood
pressure and cholesterol.

To know more about US Potatoes, you can visit this link: https://www.facebook.com/PotatoesUSAPhilippines/

Great Baon Tips using Potatoes USA

When growing up, we are always told by our elders about the importance of consuming ample amount of fruits and vegetables daily. Our plates are usually filled with vibrant selections of vegetables with protein and carbohydrates and end each meal with a delightful slice of fruit.

How do we entice them to eat healthy?

During the first few months of an infant, we give them natural and healthy food selections, particularly fruits and vegetables as their first solid food. For my daughter, Zeeka, we even tried baby-led weaning. We would give her sliced potatoes, carrots etc. and she would eat these by herself. After the first year, it was noticeable that Zeeka started to either be picky or fussy with food that was given to her as she learned to become a more independent eater (Have you noticed this to be true also with your kids?). What my daughter didn’t lose though is the love of eating vegetables and fruits, even if she was picky!

It is proven that vegetables are essential and natural part of a child’s diet. It contains essential nutrients for their health, growth and development. The best and simplest way is for parents to be their child’s example by adding vegetables as a daily part of the family’s diet. In that way, children will love the idea of eating balanced and healthy meals. What I love buying Zeeka are potatoes with the stamp from Potatoes USA.

How potatoes can help children’s growth and development

Children get hungry fast that’s why we need to give them whole and quality foods that can help their gut to feel full longer and provide the needed energy daily. This wonder crop is the best solution!

Potatoes are naturally fat free, low-fat and packed with nutrients that’s good for kids. It provides carbohydrate, potassium and energy that is essential particularly to kids who need ample energy to perform well at school. Studies show that a potato contains these nutrients that can help your kid bustle with energy:

  • Carbohydrates: The food we consume daily contains nutrients that have what our body needs to tackle the day. These nutrients in food are the three major groups such as fat, protein and carbohydrates. While the two main forms of carbohydrates are sugars (fructose, glucose and lactose) and starch that is usually found in foods such as grains, rice, bread, starchy vegetables and more.
  • B Vitamins: Provides energy and helps body to put carbohydrates to work.
  • Fiber: Helps to lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.
  • Vitamin C: Essential vitamin to attain and maintain healthy skin, bones and hair.
  • Folate: Helps body make red blood cells.

I love Lamb Weston because their fries are made from real potatoes!!!

Aside from baked, boiled and fried potatoes, here are some baon ideas that can help inspire you to entice your kid to eat this food boost even at school!

Potato and Leek Soup

  • Melt butter and add the onions and chopped leeks on pan. Stir cook until tender.
  • Stir in the chicken broth and the potatoes into this mixture. Stir until the potatoes are tenderly cooked.
  • Add the half-and-half into this soup and cook on a low flame for about 15 minutes, until the soup thickens a little.
  • Add the cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper while stirring the soup. Cook for another five minutes until the cheddar melts.

Potato Sandwich

  • Slice potato into 1/2 inch slices
  • Heat to medium temperature. Fry both sides of the potato (about 3-5 minutes per side) until the potato is cooked thoroughly.  
  • Once a slice is almost cooked, add a slice of cheese and allow it to partially melt.  Remove from heat and add cucumber slices and lettuce.

Cheesy Potato Pancake

    1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups mashed potatoes, 1 large egg, ¼ cup flour and 2 Tbsp chopped chives. 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Use a potato masher to mash the mixture together until well mixed. If the potatoes are too flimsy and can’t hold its patty shape, you can add flour a Tablespoon at a time.
    2. Place a heaping tablespoonful of potato mixture between your palms and form into a round, ⅓” thick patty. Cover both sides of the patty that you’ve created in bread crumbs and set on a cutting board. Repeat with remaining pancakes.
  • Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat with enough oil to lightly cover the bottom of the pan. Slowly add patties in a single layer into the pan once the oil is of perfect temperature (hot enough) and sauté 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining patties, adding more oil as needed. I usually have 2 skillets going at once to finish sooner.

 

I hope that you like these recipes that I’ve shared with you. Don’t forget to buy potatoes that have a Potatoes USA seal like this:

Please visit https://www.facebook.com/PotatoesUSAPhilippines/ for more information!