Potatoes: Sweet or White

Peak Season: Sweet, September to December; white, year-round

Perfect Pick: Unyielding, with smooth undamaged skin. Avoid if bruised, cracked, or green tinged. Loose spuds tend to be better quality than bagged.

Handle with Care: Outside of the fridge, in a cool, dark place separated from onions, white potatoes will last for months. Sweet potatoes, however, should be used within a week.

The Payoff: Potassium, which may help preserve muscle mass as we age.