I admit that for the longest time, whenever I would eat too much potatoes, I would be told they were extra carbs. I thought potatoes were a carbohydrate that can be an alternative to rice or bread. But last March 6, 2025, Potatoes USA held a talk at Makati Shangri-La Hotel. It focused on “Potato as a Healthy Vegetable.” I learned that it can be included with rice yet still be part of a balanced meal. Now, I think of potatoes as an underrated staple in Filipino dishes.
For the talk, Potatoes USA invited Jo Sebastian, a registered nutritionist–dietitian, founder of HEAL, and host of the Donut Box podcast. Her talk for that morning was “From my Head to my Potatoes—All About Potato Nutrition.” The event was rather personal, since I follow Jo on Instagram. I came across her account when I was searching for ways to lose weight, so maybe my algorithm led me to her. One of the most memorable things about her reels is, at the end of it, she would tell people “You always deserve to eat.” Such a mindset stuck with me.
When I was listening to Jo talk about the nutritious benefits of potatoes, I was intrigued. I learned how potato is nutrient-rich. It provides energy, potassium, and vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber, vitamin B6, iron, and protein. All these help your body perform better. It is a complex carb that takes time to break down and helps sustain more energy. In my understanding, it helps you get your nutrition, which not only improves your fitness but also gets you through your daily activities. Through the events of Potatoes USA, I am better enlightened on how eating potatoes is a fun way to incorporate nutrients into my meals
Growing up, potatoes were the only vegetable I was consistently eating. If we had nilagang baka, I would eat potatoes with my rice and beef. Potatoes have become a staple in some of our home-cooked dishes and on special occasions. When my papa cooks, he always includes potatoes, like in his kaldereta and baked chicken. With my dishes, I usually prepare mashed potatoes. It takes a lot of manual labor to make, but I have fun eating the potatoes with butter and milk.
As I listened to Jo talking, I wondered if potatoes are also good for losing weight or dieting. I have learned through my own fitness journey that certain foods would affect each person differently. For example, when it comes to sugar, too much of it can make one person easily gain weight, but another person might not. Jo explains, “In a diet, what matters most is the total calorie intake, and nutrient value is important. Potatoes play an important role because they are a lower calorie carb source, and they are filling.”
In my fitness journey, I have learned patience is the key. If you don’t lose weight today or this week, try again next time. I recall when I ate potatoes from the last Potatoes USA event, I didn’t gain that much. I wonder, what made it different from eating fries from a fast food place? Maybe the amount of salt?
I was curious if it was possible to include potatoes in my diet. For a working person, how do they incorporate potatoes into their meals? Jo told me you can search for potato options in the menu when you are at a restaurant. You can also do meal preparation at home. Jo shared that one could prepare a big batch of potatoes, like mashed potatoes or frozen fries, and keep it stored. It can be eaten during meals or as a snack.
Jo Sebastian and Reji Retugal
Reji Retugal, Philippine representative for Potatoes USA, explained, “There is a lot more variety of fresh potatoes from the US…dito in the Philippines, we only have a handful of varieties, the whites and the yellows. When we do have potatoes from the US, there is a whole variety from the purples and the rest. I assure you that from what we have studied, our potatoes are grown in the best possible soil, in the best possible climate. They are taken care of before they are shipped, so that you get them in the freshest possible form. All of the handling and all of the care from the growing up, to the selling of potatoes, is really top notch. It’s really U.S. standard.”
Potatoes USA helps farmers sell their supplies to consumers. In their website, they mention that they are a marketing organization for 2000 potato farmers in the U.S. One can buy their products, like frozen and dehydrated potatoes, in most supermarkets in Metro Manila and Cebu. They said that for those who wish to buy supplies, they can go to their website https://potatoesusa-philippines.com and fill up an inquiry form.
Potatoes are more than just a fun snack to eat. Potatoes USA wants us to know that potatoes are nutritious and budget-friendly. Potatoes can be used in all personal, cultural, and dietary preferences. It is not just a snack but also part of everyone’s daily meals.
