French Nutritional Guidelines recommend consuming starchy foods at each meal and varying the source. According to a new study published in the Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism, however, the proportion of energy from carbohydrates is currently too low in many Western European countries. After assessing consumption of different types of starchy foods among 80,209 adult participating in the French NutriNet-Santé study, the researchers found that only about 43 percent of the participants met the recommended starchy food intake level, while 51 percent fell short and only 5 percent exceeded it.
The researchers also noted that vitamin and mineral content varied widely across the various types of starchy foods, confirming the importance of consuming a variety of these foods. Potatoes were highlighted for their contribution of potassium, dietary fiber and vitamins B5, B6 and C to the diet. French fries were also mentioned as a good potential source of vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids, depending on preparation method and type of oil used for frying.
Read the study abstract at PubMed.
Note: Polyunsaturated fatty acids are mainly found in vegetable oils. When consumed in moderation and used instead of saturated or trans fats in foods, vegetable oils can be part of a healthy diet. In the United States, french fries are no longer a significant source of trans fatty acids in the food supply.
Source: Alliance for Potato Research & Education