NUTRITIVE VALUE OF POTATOES 



15 



Percent 



Calories 13.9 



Protein 10.5 



Calcium 8.4 



Iron 28.4 



Vitamin Bi 35 .0 



Vitamin Bg (G) 17.5 



Vitamin C 53.9 



They consider potatoes one of the cheapest sources of iron, vitamin Bi, and 

 vitamin C; one of the next cheapest sources of calories, protein, and vitamin 

 B2 (G); and an economical source of calcium. Potatoes, which were formerly 

 considered only as a pleasant-flavored vegetable included in most menus, are of 

 very definite importance to the nutritional well-being of the individual. 



In Table 11 the amount of nutrients supplied by an average serving of potatoes 

 is presented. Many people doing active physical work or on low-cost dietaries 

 would ordinarily include at least two servings of potatoes in their daily ^ meals. 

 Potatoes are very good sources of vitamins Bi and C and of iron, for one^serving 

 supplies over 10 percent of the daily requirement of these nutrients. 



Table 11. — Amount of Nutrients Supplied by One Average Serving of 

 Potatoes (5J^ ounces or 150 grams) 



Nutrient 



Daily 

 Requirement* 



Amount Supplied 

 In One Serving 



Percent of 



Daily Requirement 



In One Serving 



Energy 3000 calories 127.5 calories 4.2 



Protein 70 grams 3 .0 grams 4.3 



Calcium 0.8 gram 0.019 gram 2.4 



Iron 12 milligrams 1 .65 milligrams 13.7 



Vitamin Bi 1.8 milligrams 0. 195 milligram 10.8 



Vitamin B2 (G) 2.7 milligrams 0.090 milligram 3.3 



Vitamin C 75 milligrams 10 milligrams 13.3 



*Man (70 Kg.), moderately active. Recommended daily allowance for specific nutrients. Com- 

 mittee on Foods and Nutrition. National Research Council. (8). 



