Potatoes are low in fat, contain just 85kcal per 100g and are 80% water. They're an important part of many slimmers' diets (see article) and they're also bursting with vitamins. Potatoes are especially rich in Vitamin C, which is essential for growth, healing, healthy teeth and connective tissue, and Vitamin B, which plays an essential role in the production of energy from food, keeps your muscles and nervous system healthy.

Potatoes are rich in minerals such as potassium, which regulates blood pressure; copper, which aids the production of the blood and bones; magnesium, which is essential for healthy bones and growth; niacin, which helps your tissue to 'breathe' and eliminate toxins from the body; folic acid; iron, which is essential for the production of red blood cells, and Vitamin B5.

Potatoes are rich in fibre and contain 2.5-3% of the stuff, which keeps your intestines healthy and regular. It also has several medicinal properties. Raw potato juice is supoped to have duiretic, healing, antispasmodic and antiscorbutic properties (prevents scurvy). Potatoes are also supposed to help relieve ulcers. Raw potato slices are used to soothe burns, chaps and inflammations...so they must be doing some good to your insides too!