Potatoes help kids Power Up for School

When you hear the word potato, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

Well for me, it’s fries!  The perfect sidekick to hamburgers and the other half of my favorite combo -- fish and chips.

The popularity of fries (and our addiction to fast food!) makes it appear that potatoes are “unhealthy”, when in fact, it is one of the most nutritious veggies around.

My kids, who are now in their 20s, loved potatoes when they were growing up. I enjoyed cooking it for them and mixing it with their favorite kaldereta and afritada. I also frequently prepared mashed potatoes with grilled cheese and bacon toppings. They always asked for seconds!

I am glad potatoes were part of my kids’ diet, especially when they were still going to school. Not only are they delicious, but potatoes also provide the energy, carbohydrates and potassium kids need to power performance throughout the school day.

As parents, our number one priority is to make sure they stay fit, healthy and alert. I admit, making my kids eat nutritious food was a challenge. But thank goodness for potatoes!

Potatoes are packed with vitamin C (boosts immunity), vitamin B6 (improves cognitive function) and potassium (important for healthy growth and building muscles). They are filled with “quality carbs” that help optimize mental and physical performance. Potatoes are also naturally fat-, sodium- and cholesterol-free.

Potatoes USA, an organization that has brought US frozen, US tablestock and US dehydrated potatoes to our shores, offers a lot of options for potato meals. They recently visited the culinary club of The Raya School in Fairview, Quezon City to demonstrate the potato’s versatility. After a session on the potato’s benefits, they conducted a preparation and cooking demo,

Chef Kristine Lotilla led the workshop that was attended by middle school students who are members of the school's Culinary Club.

Each student was given a mashed potato kit containing U.S. Dehydrated Potato Standard Flakes, milk, butter, and salt. Chef Kristine showed them how to rehydrate the dehydrated potatoes.

Chef Kristine and the students prepared two recipes:

Broccoli Cheddar Potato Puffs

(https://www.potatogoodness.com/recipes/broccoli-cheddar-potato-puffs/

                          Chocolate Mashed Potato Truffles
(https://www.potatogoodness.com/recipes/chocolate-mashed-potato-truffles/)

These look yummy! If the kids can do it, so can you!

A wide variety of high quality U.S. potatoes can be purchased from major supermarkets and groceries nationwide.

For more information on US potatoes, visit www.potatogoodness.com/ or like and follow Potatoes USA-Philippines on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotatoesUSAPhilippines/.