Potatoes are a staple of the Western diet. The potato plant is an underground starchy vegetable. It is a good source of resistant starch, which can improve blood sugar control. However, some people may be sensitive to nightshade tubers. Likewise, some people may react negatively to white potatoes.
The paleo diet is a diet based on foods eaten by hunter-gatherer people before the agricultural revolution. It focuses on eating unprocessed and unrefined foods. It also limits dairy, legumes, and grains. A paleo diet can include higher carbohydrate vegetables such as sweet potatoes, but should be limited.
The potato is high in carbohydrates and not very nutrient-dense. It also contains glycoalkaloids, which are compounds that act as a defense mechanism against predators.
The main argument against potatoes is that they are too high in carbohydrates and that their glycemic index is high. The glycemic index is a measurement of how quickly food spikes the body’s blood sugar levels.
Another common argument against the potato is that it is nutritionally void. While there is some truth to this claim, it is not a strong enough argument to prevent inclusion in the Paleo Diet.
Some paleo advocates have argued that potatoes were not eaten until the agricultural revolution. However, this is inaccurate. Evidence of potato consumption in pre-Inca cultures is found in altiplano Indian pottery, dating back 8,000 years.
Ultimately, the decision to include or exclude potatoes in the paleo diet should be based on your individual needs. If you are sensitive to nightshade tubers, avoid them. If you are healthy and don’t have auto-immune issues, eat potatoes with fat and protein.