Settle the debate of whether or not its safe to eat sprouted potatoes.

Theyre unsightly, sure, but are they safe to eat?

Why Do Potatoes Sprout?

sprouted potatoes on the counter

Credit:Getty Images / Catherine Falls Commercial

Green shoots, which will grow into bushy plants, should start to emerge within 2 weeks.

Is It Safe to Eat a Potato with Sprouts?

If your potato has sprouted, do not eat the sprouts themselves.

Cooking does not eliminate these substances, so they need to be removed completely.

The sprouts contain solanine, a toxic compound that can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Do not eat potato sprouts, as these will have the highest amount of solanine.

Very high levels of solanine are associated with headaches, flushing, confusion, and fever.

How to Remove Potato Sprouts

It’s important to remove any sprouts from the potato before eating.

In addition to removing the sprouts, ensure to peel off any green skin on the potato.

And if you notice a lot of green, its best to just toss the potato out.

see to it there is not a green hue to the potato, Crabtree says.

If a green hue remains, I would throw it out and reduce the risk of getting sick.

Use proper ventilation to reduce moisture and promote air circulation and avoid direct light, which will encourage sprouting.

Potatoes can be placed in a paper bag to limit light exposure if needed.

In addition to preventing sprouting, following proper storage guidelines can also have some health benefits.

you might extend the shelf life, nutritional quality, and minimize sprouting by following these potato storage tips.