Dietician says potatoes are better in terms of fibre than rice or pasta

Irish people in the 1860s had just 9% fat in their daily diet as opposed to the 35%-36% fat levels in today’s heavily processed average daily intake, says dietician Daniel McCartney.

His advice coincides with the launch today by the IFA and Bord Bia of a new potato promotions group.

Dr McCartney advises that potatoes are better in terms of fibre, vitamins and mineral content than rice or pasta. For rice fans, he suggests that wholegrain or brown rice is better than white rice, which is often heavily processed.

Dr McCartney said: “The best advice for consumers is that they can take good amounts of potatoes or wholegrain cereals, as long as they take plenty of exercise to burn off the calories from starchy foods.”

In 1999-2000, 95% of Irish adults consumed potatoes on a weekly basis. By 2011, just 74% did so. In the same period, the numbers of Irish adults consuming rice, pasta, flour, grains and starches at least once per week, rose from 44% to 49%.

Meanwhile, the Potato Promotions Group was formally unveiled by the IFA and Bord Bia yesterday.

Research by TNS/MRBI has found while most consumers in the 22-44 years age group still eat potatoes, they view pasta and rice as more convenient. The volume of potatoes they buy is driven by life-stage and by the arrival of children.