Top 5 Ways to Make Mashed Potatoes Healthier

1. Potatoes are a starchy vegetable which means they contain a high amount of calories and a low amount of nutrients when compared to other veggies. Some of the nutrients that are found in potatoes are located in the peel. Therefore to increase the amount of vitamins and minerals, leave the peel on. If you don't like the taste, use a food processor or hand blender when mashing them to make them almost unnoticeable.

2. If you're going to add dairy to your mashed potatoes, try adding less or mixing in some low fat variations of sour cream, cream cheese and/or butter. Depending on the amount of dairy you use, it can contribute more calories than the potatoes.

3. For calorie free taste, add salt. You usually hear that salt is bad for you, and it is in large amounts, but most salt we eat is from processed foods, not from the small pinches we add ourselves.

4. For calorie and salt free flavor, saute some onions or garlic in olive oil and add them into your mashed potatoes.

5. You can also add flax seeds to your mashed potatoes. You can usually buy flax seeds that have been finely milled so they don't change the consistency of your food. They add plenty of fiber as well as omega 3 fatty acids.

For more healthy cooking ideas, visit the Guide to Cooking. You can also share your favorite recipes and see what others are cooking at the diet forums.

Health Poll of the Week: Sometimes, those who are looking to lose weight skip breakfast in hopes of cutting calories. Do you eat or skip breakfast? Vote now. Remember, there's no need to register to vote and if you share your opinion, you could win an Amazon gift card.