On August 19 we celebrate World Potato Day – the food that is most often present on our menu, prepared in a variety of ways.
The history of potatoes is very ancient, their cultivation began in Peru and Bolivia at the dawn of human history –– several millennia BC After the New World also discovered the vegetable, it spread extremely quickly from country to country. The main reasons for this rapid favoring of potatoes lie in their easy cultivation, their high nutritional value and the countless options for their preparation.
Over the centuries, thanks to potatoes, more than one nation has been fed during war. It is the same today – they are still a favorite food that allows us not only to fill up, but also to be imaginative in the kitchen. Apart from being a main dish, potatoes can also play a leading role in the preparation of delicious salads, aromatic soups and crispy pasta.
Globally, the potato is the third most consumed crop, after rice and wheat. Over a billion people in the world eat potatoes, and 1 hectare of potatoes can provide 2 to 4 times more food than cereals. Potatoes require the least amount of water to grow than any other major crop. Today, this tasty and cheap food is grown in over 100 countries around the world, but there is still the misconception that it is filling from the carbohydrates contained in potatoes, rice, fruits, etc. This convinces many people to completely exclude these delicious and healthy foods from their menu, even though carbohydrates alone are not the reason for gaining extra pounds.
Carbohydrates are our main source of energy and play a key role in our health. However, in combination with too much fat, potatoes are a prerequisite for weight gain. and therefore experts recommend that you do not add to them isolated fats, such as oil, olive oil, butter, etc., nor other sources of animal fats, such as cheese, yellow cheese, cream, meat and fish. Then you will be able to feel the real benefit of consuming this wonderful food!
Source: vitarama.bg