Since a long time now, potato has been a victim of misunderstanding. The diet driven and health crazy society of the current times avoid potatoes completely in their diet plan. Some ill informed fitness fanatics have failed to understand its true worth i.e. a highly nutritious vegetable which when prepared and eaten in right way tends to help more often than hurt.
The reputation of potatoes as fattening comes from the way they are usually cooked. It is actually the fat they are cooked in (gravy or fried) or added on the table in the form of butter or creme that is the real culprit. In fact, potatoes are highly nutritious and energy rich. Eating potatoes can help in preventing high blood pressure problems. It helps in treatment of digestive problems and they are great antioxidants as they repair cells in the body and prevent cellular damage.
A word of caution though for people suffering from diabetes. The glycemic index of potatoes is very high which means the starch in potatoes is easily and quickly digested and converted into sugar. Hence people with diabetes should have potatoes in moderation.