The Mighty Potato

I grew up in a meat and potatoes household. Every dinner included some form of the spud, alongside chicken, pork, or beef and usually a canned vegetable.

The potato mandate was a byproduct of my father and his German-American upbringing. It usually rotated between canned, baked, fried or mashed. Other than pasta, it was the go-to carb at dinner, as I didn’t begin enjoying rice until my college days.

Often, these taters came packed with sodium. Here are a few #saltswaps I wish my family knew years ago.

The Salty Mash

A packet of just add hot water mashed potatoes was always in the pantry. Usually with added flavors like cheddar, extra buttery, or sour cream and chive. These flavors often added more sodium than the plain packet.

While super convenient, instant spuds often include tons of sodium. Thankfully, there are no salt added options like potato flakes, which are essentially the same, “just add water,” version allowing you to take complete control of the salt.

Get Fried

I love a crispy french fry, (and have written about them before). While the recipe for the famous double arches is gone, I’ll sneak one or two in from time to time. I don’t like air friers as classic oil fried is my fav.

Not all french fries are alike. Many frozen varieties are seasoned or contain added salt. Plus, who can eat only one serving of fries?

My freezer selection is the steak fry. Generally the least processed and a perfect vehicle for dips. 

Whether a spicy unsalted ketchup or garlic aioli, the steak fry is a great alternative to seasoned or even my long lost favorite, the tater tot, which is often processed with added salt. No wonder they’re so tasty. 

Au Natural

Something about a crispy baked potato is nostalgic. As a kid, we used seasoning salt. Today, if I bake a potato it’s with garlic powder and freshly cracked pepper wrapped in aluminum. I’ll enjoy a little Kerrygold salted butter and maybe a little shredded cheese, depending on my main protein.

Starting with fresh potatoes for mashed or fried is also a great choice! Potatoes are often cheap and super versatile, while long lasting as a pantry staple. 

Unseasoned shredded or diced potatoes are also available in the frozen food case in most grocery stores. They make for quick hashbrowns or a tasty pan fried side. 

What’s your favorite tater? Share in the comments below!

#staysalty