Potatoes and Blood Sugar: Doctors Answer Key Questions for People With Diabetes

With diabetes cases rising sharply across India, diet has emerged as a major concern for millions of households.

The country is home to over 10 crore people living with diabetes, a number projected to cross 15 crore in the coming years. Unsurprisingly, commonly consumed foods—especially staples like potatoes—often come under scrutiny. A popular belief is that eating potatoes can cause diabetes or sharply spike 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 eaten vegetables and are nutritionally rich, providing fibre, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin B6.

“Potatoes can be part of a healthy diet. Diabetes is a complex disease with multiple causes. Simply eating potatoes does not increase the risk of developing diabetes. This is a misconception,” she said.

That said, Dr Rawat cautioned that people who already have diabetes should consume potatoes in moderation. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates, which break down into glucose in the body, giving them a high glycaemic index (GI). As a result, they can cause a faster rise in blood sugar, particularly when eaten in large portions or prepared using unhealthy methods such as deep-frying.

For non-diabetic individuals, experts say potatoes do not increase diabetes risk when consumed sensibly as part of a balanced diet. Dr Rawat added that pairing potatoes with protein- and fibre-rich foods—such as curd, vegetables or dal—can help slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. She also noted that cooled potatoes contain more resistant starch, which may aid better blood sugar control.

“People don’t need to completely eliminate potatoes from their meals. The key lies in portion control, balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and consistent blood sugar monitoring for those with diabetes,” she said.

Doctors emphasise that demonising a single food item is counterproductive, as factors such as lifestyle, genetics and overall dietary patterns play a far greater role in the development and management of diabetes.