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Doctors Have Pointed Out the Dangers of Mashed Potatoes: What to Look For

Mashed potatoes themselves are not harmful to health. Cholesterol comes not only from food. It also occurs naturally in the cells of the human body. It helps us in digestion, as well as in the production of hormones and vitamin D.

It can contribute to clogged arteries, which restrict blood flow to and from the heart or brain. This can cause a heart attack or stroke. Eating large portions of mashed potatoes can raise your level to a dangerous maximum.

Mashed potatoes by themselves are not unhealthy, but mashed potatoes with butter, sour cream, and milk can increase calories and increase the risk of high cholesterol. They all add fat to the potatoes, and trans or saturated fats are known to contribute to high cholesterol.

This doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your potatoes, but experts recommend baking the potatoes and trying to use a healthier butter or some olive oil instead. When preparing mashed potatoes, add skim milk and low- or zero-fat Greek yogurt to give them a little creaminess. For flavor, use spices such as oregano, pepper, or garlic.

Eating a lot of saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol levels. Because butter is high in saturated fat, people with high cholesterol should be mindful of how much they consume each day.

The American Heart Association recommends that people with high cholesterol monitor their butter intake. They suggest replacing it with healthy fats such as avocado and olive oil. Nutrition consultant Marisa Moore said that mashed potatoes can raise cholesterol levels.

“Most mashed potatoes, especially in restaurants, consist of large portions of butter, cream, whole milk, sour cream, and/or cream cheese,” she said. “This turns a perfectly healthy potato into a saturated fat bomb. Order a baked potato and top it with vegetables, salsa, or low-fat sour cream.”

The NHS recognizes that butter and cream contribute to high cholesterol. In fact, the health body advises people trying to lower their cholesterol to eat less of these ingredients all together. To counteract unhealthy choices, a cholesterol-friendly diet includes brown rice, bread, and pasta.

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Written by Emma Miller

I am a registered dietitian nutritionist and own a private nutrition practice, where I provide one-on-one nutritional counseling to patients. I specialize in chronic disease prevention/ management, vegan/ vegetarian nutrition, pre-natal/ postpartum nutrition, wellness coaching, medical nutrition therapy, and weight management.

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