A few weeks ago, I joined a PR event with Kroon op het Werk to explore potato farming firsthand at CêlaVíta's fields. Standing ankle-deep in clay, I rediscovered the humble potato—not just through the passion of the quality manager sharing varieties with uncontainable enthusiasm, but also by learning its surprising health benefits, challenging my previous misconceptions.
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Opportunities like this farm visit are rare amid my busy schedule. But curiosity drew me to Erp to evaluate CêlaVíta's potatoes—especially since I'd long viewed them as unhealthy. Under a beautiful sun, I dove in to learn the truth.
It might be genetic. I'm no potato fanatic, but a perfectly crumbly one with gravy brings joy, a trait inherited from my grandfather. I picture him mashing floury potatoes on the farm. My father shared that love, and so do I.
Quality matters—floury varieties like Eigenheimer are ideal but hard to find. I prefer pasta or rice over traditional potato-vegetable-meat meals, except for air fryer potato gratin. Plus, the myth that potatoes make you fat deterred me; their starch turns to carbs, which I limit per my NewFysic plan. That changed at CêlaVíta.
Before hitting the fields, dietician Marieke van de Pavert shared eye-opening info: a serving of potatoes has fewer calories than equivalent rice or pasta—busting my avoidance myth.
Potatoes do contain carbs, but as healthy energy sources in moderation, they fuel body and brain. One or two at dinner? No issue. Key benefits:
As shown, 200g potatoes contribute minimally to daily carbs.
Potatoes are nightshades; green parts are toxic due to solanine. Cut them off—the rest is safe. Accidental small amounts aren't harmful.
Potato plants sprout from seed tubers, which shrivel post-harvest. Dry summers confuse plants, causing small secondary tubers that steal nutrients, yielding undersized crops—as seen this year.
Hands-on learning shone: exotic pink varieties fit for Michelin stars, plus tastings of chef-prepared dishes on a Green Egg amid the fields. Eye-opening proof potatoes are nutritious.
CêlaVíta's Potato Day champions this staple against rice and pasta dominance. Fair, given its health perks—in moderation.
