Should People With Diabetes Avoid Eating Potatoes? Doctors Explain

Last Updated:January 01, 2026, 18:26 IST

Doctors emphasise that demonising a single food item is unhelpful, and lifestyle, genetics and overall diet patterns play a far greater role in diabetes risk

With diabetes cases rising rapidly across the country, diet has become a key concern for many households. India currently has more than 10 crore people living with diabetes, and the figure is expected to cross 15 crore in the coming years. As a result, several commonly eaten foods, including potatoes, often come under scrutiny.

A widespread belief is that eating potatoes can trigger diabetes or sharply increase blood sugar levels. However, doctors say this assumption is misleading.

Dr Sonia Rawat, Director of Preventive Health and Wellness at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, told News18 that potatoes are among the most widely consumed vegetables and are rich in fibre, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin B6. “Potatoes can actually be part of a healthy diet. Diabetes is a complex disease with multiple causes. Merely eating potatoes does not increase the risk of developing diabetes. This is a misconception,” she said.

However, Dr Rawat added that people who are already diabetic should consume potatoes in moderation. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates, which convert into glucose in the body. This makes them a high glycaemic index (GI) food, meaning they can cause a faster rise in blood sugar, especially if eaten in large quantities or cooked in unhealthy ways, such as deep-frying.

For healthy individuals, experts say potatoes do not raise diabetes risk when eaten sensibly.

According to Dr Rawat, combining potatoes with protein-rich and fibre-rich foods such as curd, vegetables or dal can slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream. Eating cooled potatoes also increases resistant starch, which may help in better blood sugar control. “People don’t need to completely cut potatoes out of their meals,” she said, “The key is portion control, balanced nutrition, regular exercise and proper monitoring of blood sugar levels for those who are diabetic.”

Doctors emphasise that demonising a single food item is unhelpful, and lifestyle, genetics and overall diet patterns play a far greater role in diabetes risk.