By Lucy Yanckello, Ph.D.
Pasta and potatoes are both staples of many cuisines. They are both delicious foods that often leave us craving more. The question is: does a second serving do us any good, or are we just piling on more carbs without much other benefits? Read on to learn more about the nutrient profiles of pasta and potatoes, how they compare, and if one is healthier than the other.
Is it better to eat potatoes or pasta?
Both pasta and potatoes can find their way into any healthy diet in moderation. In a 100 gram serving of a baked potato without salt, there are 93 calories which come from 21 grams of carbs, 2 grams of dietary fiber, negligible amounts of fat, and around 2.5 grams of protein. In the same amount of pasta, there are 131 calories consisting of 25 grams of carbs, 1.8 grams of fiber, around 1 gram of fat, and 5 grams of protein.
In terms of vitamins and nutrients, potatoes are higher in vitamin C, which is important for immune function, and various B vitamins (B3, B5, and B6). Pasta is higher in vitamin A, which plays a role in eyesight and immune functions, and other various B vitamins (B1, B2, B9, and B12). B vitamins play a role in energy metabolism and brain function. Potatoes also have a much more beneficial mineral content than pasta, with higher levels of potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper.
In terms of glycemic index, pasta wins. Glycemic index (GI) is a measure of how quickly a food can make your blood sugar rise, and it is an important metric for diabetics. The lower the number, the less a food will raise blood sugar. Pasta generally has a GI around 55, whereas potatoes, even when boiled, have a high GI around 73.
What is healthier to eat: mashed potatoes or baked potatoes or smashed potatoes or boiled potatoes?
Each option of cooking the potato has its own benefits. However since mashed potatoes usually come with the addition of butter, milk, and cream, and the removal of the skin, it is fair to say these are the least nutritionally beneficial option of the four.
The way potatoes are prepared can lead to micronutrient loss. For example, baked potatoes have about twice the amount of vitamin C as boiled potatoes, and boiling potatoes also causes a loss of potassium. Additionally, most of the fiber comes from the outer skin, meaning boiled potatoes without their skin lose that benefit as well. Because smashed potatoes are boiled before being baked, they will lose some of the nutritional benefit as well that is usually retained by baking potatoes.
Baked potatoes retain more nutrients and offer more fiber when the skin is eaten. However, the addition of sour cream, cheese, and butter, just like in mashed potatoes, can change the nutritional profile of your baked potato by adding fat, calories, and sodium.
What is healthier to eat: mashed potatoes or pasta?
Mashed potatoes and pasta are likely similar in nutrient profile in terms of macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Because potatoes are boiled prior to mashing, and the skin is removed, they will lose vital nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Pasta has higher amounts of protein and fiber and a lower glycemic index. In addition, if lean proteins and vegetables are added to the pasta, the benefits will outweigh those that you will get from mashed potatoes – especially since butter, cream, and salt is usually added to mashed potatoes.
What is healthier to eat: baked potatoes or pasta?
Baked potatoes may offer somewhat of an advantage when it comes to nutrients compared to pasta. Because they are baked, they retain their high levels of vitamins and other micronutrients, and if the skin is eaten, the fiber content as well. However, if you want a baked potato to outcompete the health benefits of pasta, avoid the high fat and high sodium toppings such as cheese, sour cream, and bacon bits. As for those with diabetes, it is important to consider that pasta has a much lower GI than potatoes, so pasta may always be a better choice.
What is healthier to eat: smashed potatoes or pasta?
Similar to mashed potatoes, smashed potatoes are boiled prior to being smashed and then baked in the oven. Due to the boiling, as with mashed potatoes, nutrients will be lost. However, because the skin is left on smashed potatoes, the benefit of a similar level of fiber as pasta will be retained. As stated above, depending on what you complement your potatoes or pasta with will outweigh the benefits of the inclusion of one or the other on your plate.
What is healthier to eat: boiled potatoes or pasta?
Similar to smashed and mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes will lose water soluble nutrients due to boiling. These include vitamin C, potassium, and fiber (because the skin is usually removed when boiling). Similar to the other two boiled options, it is more important to include other nutrient dense foods and lean proteins to round out your meal.
What is the best for weight loss: pasta or potatoes?
Both pasta and potatoes have benefits for weight loss. Pasta has higher levels of protein than potatoes, which allows you to feel fuller for longer, thus reducing the amount of snacking and cravings. Potatoes have higher levels of fiber, which slows digestion and leaves one feeling satiated after a meal for a longer period. However, the higher GI of potatoes is an important consideration. Higher GI foods lead to blood sugar to spike and then crash, causing cravings and hunger earlier after a meal than low GI foods.
What is the best for diabetics: potatoes or pasta?
Pasta has a much lower GI than potatoes. Because diabetics need to keep their blood sugar levels normalized, eating foods that are more likely to spike their blood sugar is not a good idea. As such, pasta is the better choice for diabetics than potatoes.
What is the best for bodybuilding: pasta or potatoes?
Both potatoes and pasta are important complex-carbohydrates to be considered for the diets of bodybuilders. The high levels of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium are important because these micronutrients all play important roles in muscle synthesis, contraction, and recovery. As for pasta, there are higher levels of protein present than in many traditional carb sources. Protein intake is essential to be able to add body mass, which makes it a hard carbohydrate source to beat.
Where can I buy fresh pasta online?
At Wildgrain, we specialize in making high-quality, fresh breads and pastas that are delivered directly to your door. Wildgrain is the first bake-from-frozen delivery subscription service for breads, pastries, and fresh pastas. Some of our popular pastas include fresh fettuccine, fresh tonnarelli, and fresh rigatoni. Learn more about Wildgrain and our artisanal baking and cooking methods.
About the Author
Lucy Yanckello received her Ph.D. in nutrition from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. She currently works as a medical writer and enjoys being able to help people better understand nutrition and science.
This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns.
