The One Carb You Should Be Eating Right Now Eat This, Not That! - msnNOW

Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients needed in your diet that provides your body with energy.

Yes, vegetables are considered part of the carbohydrate family of foods and are incredibly healthy for you, but one carb you should be eating as a side dish for your meals is actually potatoes.

While potatoes may not have a great reputation (given that many restaurants like to slice them up and throw them in the deep fryer), potatoes can actually provide your body with a myriad of health benefits.

One of the most important nutrients potatoes have to offer you (besides those energy-boosting carbohydrates) is fiber.

According to the UDSA, a medium-sized potato with around a 3-inch diameter provides your body with almost 5 grams of fiber.

A medium-sized potato provides your body with 897 milligrams of potassium, which is 25% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for an average 2,000 calorie diet.

Along with the boost in fiber and potassium, potatoes are also full of all kinds of other nutrients and antioxidants that are beneficial for your body's health.

Similar to soluble fiber, resistant starch can help feed the bacteria in your gut, creating a healthier microbiome.