Nutrition

The water content of potato is 80% and the dry matter content is around 20%.
Carbohydrate is 16% on fresh weight basis.
The fat content is almost negligible 0.1%.
When eaten without added fat potato is a good food for weight conscious persons because of its low energy density.

Given below is table of comparative energy value per 100grams

Items K cal/100gms
1. Potato ( Boiled) 69
2. Bread White 278
3. Corn flakes 388
4. Biscuits 441
5. French Fries 220
French fries though have much higher K/Cal than boiled potato but it is still lower than either item regularly consumed.

Protein

Potato protein has a very high biological value because all Amino acids are present.
Potatoes have a correct balance between net protein calories and total calories adequate for age groups beginning from the first year of the human beings.
Studies with infants and young children recovering from malnutrition demonstrated that potatoes could be used to supply the entire daily dietary requirement for protein and substantial part of energy needs.

Vitamin

Potato is a rich source of Vitamin C. It helped prevent Scurvy in Europe in the 1800.
Potato is also an important source of Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6 Group, Vitamin B5, riboflavin and folic acid.

Minerals

Good source of phosphorus and contain 40mg/100g of fresh wt basis potato flakes contain (40 x 5.5) mg/100g
Potassium content is 247 mg/100g of fresh weight.
Sodium content is low 11mg/100g fresh weight
Vitamin C present in potato helps availability of iron from other food sources.

Fat

The most common misconception is that potatoes are fattening. With a fat content of less than 0.1% and with very low calorie content it simply cannot cause fattening. This misconception is because potato absorbs considerable quantity of fat while frying. It is the fried potato like any other item in the fried form, which causes the Obesity.
In the non-fried form it is a wholesome meal.
In most part of our country potato is consumed as a complementary vegetable with a staple diet and is wrongly believed to make a negligible contribution to the nutritive value of a meal.
The facts presented make it amply clear that potatoes are as good as most other vegetables for nutrition. The medicinal values of potatoes are bonus potatoes to Potato Lovers.