While chopping potatoes, you might wonder if you’re free to eat them raw.

Though tempting, its best to avoid eating these starchy vegetables raw.

It’s best to avoid eating them raw whenever possible.

Southern Living Quick Baked Potato piercing the potato with a fork

Credit:Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Consuming raw potatoes can cause discomfort or digestive issues.

Raw potatoes contain solanine and lectins, which can both contribute to the digestive issues.

The toxin solanine, which occurs just under the skin, can make people sick, says Berner.

From an aerial view, a colander of cleaned russet potatoes sits to the left of hands holding and peeling a potato with a vegetable peeler. A bowl of potato scraps sits to the right.

Credit: Emily Laurae/Southern Living

How To Store Raw Potatoes

Store potatoes in a cool, dry place.

Consider a pantry or in a paper bag.

It is important to store potatoes in the absence of light to prevent greening.

To be safe, it is best to not eat the green part of tubers."

You do not need to discard green potatoes.

Berner says the easiest way to double-check a potato is done is making sure it is fork tender.

It should be smooth to pierce through.