So it is best to cut away the scabs. This reaction occurs when potatoes are exposed to too much light, it also makes the potato skin taste bitter. Commercial potato processors peel away the skins to be safe. Potatoes contain no fat, no cholesterol and no sodium, making them a great addition to any heart-healthy diet. If you leave off the butter, cheese, bacon and sour cream when you eat potato skins, they can add nutrients to your diet. If the fuzz grosses you out, scrape it off first. Potato: Ounce for ounce, potato skin has more fiber, iron, potassium, B vitamins and vitamin C than the flesh. You should not eat green potato skin as it can contain a toxin called solanine, which can cause nausea and other intestinal upsets. Old potatoes will start taking on a mushy texture when touched. Excess moisture on the skin can seep into the potato during baking and cause soggy skins. An average medium-sized potato with the skin on contains only 110 calories. Any potatoes with visible insect damage, blacked areas or surface mold should have those sections removed, though the remaining skin can be left intact if you wish. He told me, “I would never eat potato skins!” When I asked him why, he just said, “Because I grew up on a potato farm and I know what goes on them.” Of course, in 1979, the idea of organic vs. non-organic wasn’t even around, so I kind of just figured maybe it was the cow poop he was referring to. Military kitchens also followed the “no peel, safer potato” approach for over 100 years. The skin of a potato ages the same way as human skin does. First of all yes, you can eat potato peelings as long as you clean them thoroughly and they ARE NOT green in color. Even if he shows no signs of a problem, get him vet care if you caught him eating potato skins. Other Potato Cautions. The green segments of potato plants are also a bad idea for dogs as well as people. But you need to dry the spuds well after the bath. But it's not the first time so here goes. The skin contains more flavonoids, antioxidants and vitamin C than the flesh. When left for too long, the potato skin will start to sag, develop spots and wrinkles. If you eat these scabs, even cooked, then you could get sick. I'm going to step on some toes here. You should certainly rinse the potatoes — we prefer russets — to remove any dirt and debris. Whether you're baking, roasting, mashing, or slicing your potatoes, try them with the skin on next time. The toxic compound solanine is part of the green segments of potato plants. "Potato Skins Contain Natural Chemicals Toxic to Humans, Cornell Study Says," read the headline on the university news service release that was picked up by the media coast to coast. I … You can even give them a quick scrub with a vegetable brush. Home » Frugal Living » Food and Drink » End Potato Prejudice: 10 Reasons Why You Should Eat Potatoes By Erin C. O'Neil on 18 September 2013 10 comments Tweet 3 Reasons Why You Should Roast Your Potato Peels It only stands to reason that potato skins — long a staple of bars and tailgate parties — are delicious in just about any form. Although potato skins in general are nutritious and can add greatly to the flavor of your baked potato, sometimes they could and should be removed. Kiwi: Kiwi skin is probably one skin that most of us do not eat, but it IS edible! All these are warning signs that potatoes are no longer safe to eat. "Potato skins are a good source of selenium and iron while also providing some fiber and Vitamin C. While you'll still get those nutrients from potato flesh, the amounts are slightly greater when you eat the whole thing," she says. Potato Skin Preparation.