Wilson’s Country Irish Potatoes has conducted a straw poll survey on the Irish streets to see if the spud is the family favourite. On average Irish people confirmed they eat Irish potatoes just 2.5 times a week as part of their main meal; pasta was the option 1.7 times a week; with rice following shortly behind, just once a week.
Consultant nutritionist to Wilson’s Country, Aveen Bannon, said: “We have a tendency to overlook the potato as a high fibre carbohydrate, as it’s often not classed as vegetable, or fruit. In fact the potato has everything going for it, it is unprocessed and from a nutritional perspective it tops rice and pasta. Most importantly, they are versatile which is great when it comes to feeding the family and on a family budget the potato really is ideal - buying by the big bag allows for convenience.”
Some of Aveen Bannon’s practical facts about the Irish spud
Carbohydrates: Potatoes supply glucose which is the main source of fuel used by our muscles and brains. As potatoes are also a natural source of fibre, they will keep you feeling fuller for longer giving you a slower steady release of energy while delivering loads of other nutrients.
Fibre: leave their jackets on. With most of the nutrients lying just beneath the skin, we need to eat the jackets. There is more fibre in one jacket potato than in a similar portion of brown rice.
Vitamin C: there is a massive 44 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C in one average potato with its jacket on. Ward off winter colds and eat some spuds with your evening dinner.
Vitamins and minerals: beneath the skin lies a long list of nutrients including B1, B6, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and copper.
Price and value for the family: The price of Irish potatoes is low. It makes economic sense for all family purses — the bigger the bag you buy, the more value you get.
Convenience: if you are in a rush a spud can be microwaved in four minutes, boiled in 20 minutes, or wedged in 25.
To find out more about the Irish potato, simply log onto www.wilsons country.com where you will find quick and easy recipes and spudtastic facts.
