Raw Foodists: Do you eat potatoes?

Question

I heard that potatoes have a toxin called glycoalkaloids that are destroyed when cooked at high temperatures. In other words, something you wouldn't wish to eat raw. Since the point of this diet is usually for health reasons, I always wondered if the diet allowed for potatoes. They are really healthy if cook.

Is this the exception to the diet or potatoes are a "no no"?

Answer 1

i'm not a raw foodist, but i I eat raw potatoes, they are good if you thinly slice and sprinkle with salt

I eat organic, hopefully that will protect me...and I wash all my produce.

Answer 2

interesting! I don't know about toxins! I'm not a raw vegan but. .. I do eat raw potatoes sometimes!! I've never been sick from it.  I don't do that very often though!

I heard that potatoes are nearly a "perfect" food. Someone told me that they have a little bit of protein, sugar, carbs,  & fiber. Potatoes were the favorite food in Ireland until Potato blight, remember that? I just thought I would add this little bit of trivia.

Answer 3

I eat raw potatoes.  And I know 2 non-veg*ns who also do.  We don't get noticable effects from them.

But then, the body can handle a normal amount of natural toxins(as scientists have labeled them).

I never heard of this toxin before.

PS - I only eat organic potatoes.  They're sweet.  The non-organic are bitter and hurt my throat.

Answer 4

I never see them(Irish, White, etc.) in any of the recipes Raw Food newsletters or Uncook books.

Answer 5

Potatoes belong to the nightshade family and parts of the plant are toxic. Fortunately, the giveaway is that the toxic parts are the green parts. So if you check the tubers themselves for green spots (which show up if the potatoes are beginning to sprout) and cut them all off, you will be OK.

However, most people simply don't think raw potatoes taste very good.