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Potatoes for Athletic Performance

The difference between you and your best comes down to how you fuel. Potatoes provide the complex carbohydrates, potassium, fiber and vitamin C you need to perform better than ever before.

A by-the-numbers look at how potatoes can power athletic performance¹:

26 grams of carbohydrate: Count on the quality carbs in potatoes for optimal mental and physical performance.² ³

620 Milligrams of Potassium: Potatoes have more potassium than a medium-size banana and are perfect for aiding muscle, cardiovascular and nervous system function during long endurance events.

110 Calories for Energy: Easily digestible and more energy dense than any other popular vegetable, potatoes are a good choice to fuel the demands of racing a triathlon.

  1. Nutritional data is based on a medium-size 5.3 ounce skin-on potato.
  2. Nutrition and Athletic Performance. Position of the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics, American College of Sports Medicine and the Dietitians of Canada. Med Sci Sports Excerc. 2015; 48:543-568).
  3. Burke LM, Hawley JA, Wong SH, Jeukendrup AE. Carbohydrates for training and competition. J Sports Sci. 2011; 29 (Suppl 1): S17-27).
  4. Gelibter A, et al Satiety following intake of potatoes and other carbohydrate test meals. Ann Nutr Metab. 2013; 62:37-43

Athlete Stories

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Chavet Denver, CO

Do you consider potatoes a key part of your training/athletic performance diet?

Yes, they are my go-to food during ultramarathons

Do you have any potato recipe tips and tricks when you use them as a part of your athletic performance diet?

Standard mashed potatoes are my go-to, occasionally I mix avocado into the mashed potatoes

What is your favorite potato recipe on PotatoGoodness.com?

Creamy mashed potatoes

Is there a story you would like to share about potatoes, or about your athletic activities?

I was raised in Denver Colorado and still live here. I absolutely love running! I am an ultra-marathon runner and spend much of my time training on the roads in Denver and on the trails in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. I love to travel and run anywhere I can. I have run a marathon or longer in all 50 states and now want to do the same on all seven continents. I love to run any distance, but my favorite distance is 100 miles or longer! During my ultra-marathons my main fuel is potatoes. Mashed potatoes have gotten me through many races and I know that they will get me through many more!

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JohnDenver, CO

Do you consider potatoes a key part of your training/athletic performance diet?

Yes, potatoes are an integral part of my performance focused diet. I always have a large serving of potato hash made with ground Turkey, the night before a race.

Do you have any potato recipe tips and tricks when you use them as a part of your athletic performance diet?

Consuming potatoes the night before a race is very effective. The potato hash that my wife prepares is made with ground turkey and lots of sliced potatoes. Microwaving the potatoes somewhat before slicing and adding to the frying pan greatly speeds the process and makes sure that the potatoes are done when the turkey is. We serve it with a bit of hot sauce and pickle relish and a side of cottage cheese and cooked vegetable such as zucchini or green beans and a salad.

What is your favorite potato recipe on PotatoGoodness.com?

The red, white and blue potato salad is an excellent side to accompany grilled burgers or sausage.

Is there a story you would like to share about potatoes, or about your athletic activities?

A friend of mine who was riding the triple by-pass bike ride here in Colorado was half way up the third climb and was fading fast. He had to stop, but was given a bag of potato chips by a spectator. After finishing the chips and consuming lots of water he felt reenergized and was able to complete the ride.

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Recipe Inspiration

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Team Potato

You are a fighter, you are persistent, you strive for everyday to be better than the last. You train and compete not only to win, but to beat your personal best. You know that what you feed your body can make the difference between winning, achieving a PR, reaching your goals or not.

Team Potato is made up of athletes just like you who are dedicated to performing their best athletically and in everyday life. Join the Team Potato community, train and compete fueled by potatoes, compete in athletic events, and share your experience to earn Team Potato gear like performance shirts, running jackets, and other exclusive rewards like race entries and more! Beyond that, join this community to see what you’re capable of when fueled by potatoes.

Does this sound like you? Join the team

 

Potatoes Power Performance in the News

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Resources

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Potatoes provide the carbohydrate, potassium and energy that we need to perform at our best. More energy-packed than any other popular vegetable, potatoes have even more potassium than a banana. Plus, there’s a potato option to fuel your body and brain throughout the day — whether you lead an active lifestyle or are competing with elite athletes.

Potato Power Recipe Booklet PDF
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Potatoes provide the carbohydrate, potassium and energy that we need to perform at our best. More energy-packed than any other popular vegetable, potatoes have even more potassium than a banana. Plus, there’s a potato option to fuel your body and brain throughout the day — whether you lead an active lifestyle or are competing with elite athletes.

Performance Magazine PDF
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Meal Prep doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated in order to pack a powerful performance punch. This collection of videos will make planning and cooking your meals for the week easy no matter what your schedule or budget looks like. Harnessing the power of potatoes, and elevating your athletic performance is now easier than ever.

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