Potato milk: Sip or skip?

The Internet is abuzz with dairyfree alternatives and the expanding array of plantbased milks The latest addition is potato milk which has gained attention for its simplicity and easy availability Social media gurus have been convincing people to try potato milk at homes using boiled potatoes water and dates Do we adopt this new health trend and ingest anything and everything into our bodies without medical adviceHealth hypeldquoDairyfree alternatives have become extremely popular in recent times due to dietary restrictions lactose intolerance veganism and general health trends Many of these alternatives especially those made from nuts and seeds have less saturated fat than dairy products They are suitable for people with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies Additionally dairyfree options can be more expensive than traditional dairy products Potato milk is popular in countries like Sweden the UK and China It can be prepared at home using potatoes and water However its protein content is minimalWhile it may be suitable for individuals with specific dietary needs it cannot be considered a healthy alternative for everyonerdquo advises Amita Gadre nutrition consultant She elaborates that a wellbalanced diet without milk for an adult can still provide all the necessary nutrients for optimal health While it is a good source of nutrients like calcium vitamin D and protein these can be obtained from other foods such as leafy greens millets whole grains nuts seeds fish and legumesKarishma Shah Pic CourtesyInstagramDairy dilemmaldquoWhen looking for alternatives oat milk comes closest to what can be used as a substitute if at all individuals with dietary preferences want to consume But it doesnrsquot provide the same amount of calcium or protein and it can contain more fat Alternatives are mainly for the look and consistency additionally access is an issue There is very little hardcore scientific data to prove that dairy milk shouldnrsquot be consumedrdquo assures Shilpa Joshi dietician and nutritionist She adds that since lactose intolerance has variable factors all dairyfree milk cannot be categorised as a viable alternativeFad or futureldquoPotato has its benefits but with the high starch level I donrsquot think it should be even considered as an option For growth children rely on dairy for essential nutrients like protein fibre and iron essential We donrsquot necessarily need to drink milk in large quantities as compared to when we were children some amount is sufficient According to Ayurveda vegetables are only supposed to be cooked that too with a level of fat lubrication There is no need to try or rely on these temporary fads that is clearly an influence from the Western culture Remaining connected to our ancient roots will guide us in making informed choices about what we put in our bodiesrdquo explains Karishma Shah integrative nutritionist and health psychologistWhether itrsquos a fleeting trend or a dietary preference in the making the choice ultimately lies in understanding its nutritional merits and how it fits into your dietary journey While potato milk adds variety to the dairyfree landscape its longterm viability hinges on broader accessibility and nutritional fortification As trends continue to evolve all three experts urge consumers to balance experimentation with informed choicesTry This Cold potato saladWhen the potato is cold it turns into resistant starch which is great for gut bacteria Cold potato mixed with your choice of veggies and dressings can make up for a healthy salad which can be consumed two times a weekrdquo Shah shares a healthy cold potato salad recipe that can be incorporated into your daily mealsIngredientsgtgt 2 to 3 potatoesgtgt Choice of greens lettuce bell pepper mushrooms olives etcgtgt Choice of dressing like sour cream or mayonnaisegtgt Vinegargtgt Thyme rosemary pairs well with potatoesgtgt Olive oilgtgt Salt and pepper as per tasteMethodParboil the potatoes make sure they are only forktender Drain the water out and peel the skins off You can leave some on if you like the texture Chop the potatoes when they are soft and refrigerate it for a couple of hours While the potatoes cool chop your preferred vegetables and prepare the dressing In a large bowl toss the cooled potatoes with the prepared veggies vinegar and olive oil until evenly coatedSeason with salt and pepper and garnish with thyme or rosemary for added flavour