Nutrition

Potatoes have a reputation for being fattening, but they aren’t. With 75 calories per 14-ounce/400-gram serving, they are a boon for the weight-conscious eater. Potatoes contain about 80 percent water, 18 percent carbohydrate (most of it starch), and 2 percent protein. They are rich in lysine, have a fair amount of mineral salts (calcium, potassium, and iron), and are a good source of vitamin C. Interestingly, it is the thin layer immediately under the skin that contains most of the potato’s flavor and vitamin C.