How Long Does It Take to Digest Potatoes?

Are you wondering how long it takes to digest potatoes? How easily does our digestive system digest them? Can you do something that will speed up the digestion time? Can you eat too many potatoes, and can they cause problems in your digestive system? Let’s find out!

Today, we will discuss different factors that may affect the digestion time of potatoes, and we will share with you different tips on how you can optimize the digestion time of potatoes.
Interested? Let’s dive in!

So, how long does this process take? As a general rule, it should take around one hour for the stomach to fully digest the potatoes, but this time may vary depending on various factors.

A few factors may be: what type of potatoes you are eating, as they are different in starch, and how these potatoes were cooked. Did you eat the potatoes alone? Or in combination with other foods.

Also, worth mentioning that the digestion time of potatoes also is affected by how healthy and fast your digestive system is, your physical level, gender, age, and so on.

Quick Note: If for you is essential to find the exact time of the digestion for specific products, then consider making a journal where you will note the digestion time for each product.

After you eat it, just pay attention to how you feel and when you will feel empty in the stomach again.

Are They Hard to Digest?

If we take an average, then potatoes are considered relatively easy to digest if we compare them with other foods. They are a good source of complex carbohydrates, broken down into simpler sugars during digestion.

Quick Note: The potatoes may become harder to digest depending on how you will cook them and how many fats or other ingredients that are hard to digest you will combine with potatoes.

If you know that you have some issues with digestion, avoid potatoes that are high in starch and lower in moisture content. Those potatoes are usually called “mealy” or “baking” potatoes.

A few examples of high-starch potatoes are Russet, Idaho potatoes, Burbank or Sebago.

If you are looking for some specific type that you should pick, then consider eating Red, Yellow, New potatoes, or Fingerling potatoes. They are lower in starch and tend to be firmer and waxier after cooking.

Quick Note: If you have the option, you may consider replacing the regular potatoes with sweet potatoes. At least partially. Sweet potatoes are mostly made up of insoluble fiber. Those insoluble fibers will speed up the digestion time.

Besides the type of potatoes, if you struggle with digestion, consider opting for boiled potatoes as, during the boiling process, the potatoes will soften and be easier to digest for your stomach.

In addition, if you combine potatoes with other meals that are high in fat or protein, like different cheeses or meat, you will slow down digestion and make the digestion process more complicated.

Can You Overeat Potatoes?

As potatoes are high in starch content, you may gain additional weight and increase the risk if you overconsume them. Eating too much of any type of food can be unhealthy, and potatoes are no exception.

While potatoes are a nutritious and delicious part of a well-balanced diet, it’s important to pay attention to portion sizes and include a variety of other foods.

Overconsumption of potatoes can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of certain health conditions, especially if you have some difficulties with blood sugar levels.

By eating potatoes in larger quantity, they may cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels.

Also, some people may feel stomach discomfort, bloating, or gas when they are eating potatoes in larger quantities.

Can They Cause Digestive Problems?

If you follow the points we mentioned before (picking potatoes low in calories, without adding a lot of extra fats during the cooking), eating them in moderation, and so on, you shouldn’t have any difficulties with eating potatoes.

If you notice that you don’t feel good after you are eating potatoes, then it is recommended to consult a nutritionist that will help you to find the cause of that discomfort.