We Are Team Potato

Team Potato fueled at least 2,800 miles with potatoes during the annual Tater Trot over Thanksgiving, and needless to say, it was a s[mashing] success! That is approximately how many miles it takes to run across the U.S. Maybe America is actually fueled by potatoes. Something to think about.

Check out how people all over the world are fueling their workouts with potatoes in our Team Potato Strava Club.

Whether you’re running a marathon or running to pick up the kids, potatoes pack the energy punch you need.

Carbohydrates are a key source of energy for muscles to help you perform and recover from exercise. And because your body’s own stores of carbohydrates are limited and may be depleted—even in a single session of intense or prolonged exercise—it’s important to replenish them. Athletes, on average, need one gram of carbohydrate per one minute of endurance exercise.

Potatoes are a nutrient-dense carbohydrate; a medium (5.3 ounce), skin-on potato contains 26 grams of carbohydrates. Potatoes also have potassium and protein, among other valuable nutrients.

Potassium is an important electrolyte that aids in muscle, cardiovascular, and nervous system function. Yet, most of us don’t get enough for optimal health and performance. Potatoes are a good source of potassium!

As a key component of muscle, protein is an important nutrient for athletic performance. There are also 3 grams of high-quality protein in one skin-on, 5.3-ounce potato, which exceeds that of all other commonly consumed vegetables, except dried beans. Some research suggests that consuming carbohydrates along with protein post-exercise may aid recovery.