- Though they can both be part of a healthy diet, sweet potatoes are generally healthier than regular potatoes, partly...
- Sweet potatoes are also lower on the glycemic index, meaning that they are less likely than regular potatoes to make...
- Sweet potatoes also contain more antioxidants, including vitamins A and C, than regular potatoes.
Can eating a sweet potato everyday be unhealthy?
You can cultivate lots of bad habits over a lifetime, but eating sweet potatoes every day isn’t among them. Packed with nutrients such as beta-carotene, potassium and fiber, sweet potatoes are also low in calories, making them a good addition to a healthy diet -- whether you’re trying to lose weight or just make better food choices.
Can regular potatoes substitute sweet potatoes?
To substitute sweet potatoes for potatoes, consider the application: Baking times and temperatures may vary since sweet potatoes have a higher sugar content and are more likely to burn than regular potatoes. Use sweet potatoes as a stand-in for potatoes in French fries, baked potatoes, roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper, and mashed potatoes.
Why should we eat more sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes pack a big nutritional punch, offering vitamin A, magnesium, and fiber to your daily diet. You should be eating more sweet potatoes because of their dense nutritional profile and metabolism-boosting qualities. This is why the orange root vegetable is so good for you.
Do sweet potatoes help or hinder weight loss?
Sweet potatoes can either boost or curtail weight loss, if that’s your goal, depending on how you enjoy them. They’re wonderfully delicious, nutrient rich, and high in fiber. This means that they can help you lose or maintain weight by keeping you feeling full for longer.
Is a sweet potato healthier than a regular potato?
Sweet potatoes are often touted as being healthier than white potatoes, but in reality, both types can be highly nutritious. While regular and sweet potatoes are comparable in their calorie, protein, and carb content, white potatoes provide more potassium, whereas sweet potatoes are incredibly high in vitamin A.
Are sweet potatoes better than regular potatoes for weight loss?
Sweet potatoes contain more antioxidants and fiber than regular potatoes, and slightly fewer calories. Fiber can also help you feel fuller for longer, adds Huggins. “Baked or boiled sweet potatoes contain both soluble and insoluble fiber which adds volume,” Huggins says.
Which type of potato is the healthiest?
Red PotatoThe Healthiest Potato is the Red Potato After taking into account the mineral density, the vitamin density, the macronutrient balance, the sugar-to-fiber ratio, the sodium-to-potassium ratio, and the phytochemical profile, red potatoes are the healthiest potato with data from the USDA Food Database.
Why is sweet potato better than white potato?
Although sweet potatoes do contain more fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese, white potatoes contain slightly less sugar, more starch and more folate. Sweet potatoes tend to have a lower glycemic index and glycemic load when boiled, however, white potatoes have a lower glycemic index when baked.
Does sweet potato reduce belly fat?
Sweet potatoes are rich in fibre, which can help you lose weight and belly fat. The high fibre content of sweet potatoes makes you feel 'full' after your meal, helping you stick to a calorie-restricted diet. The root vegetable also contains a specific kind of fibre called resistant starch.
Do sweet potatoes cause weight gain?
The high water content in sweet potatoes makes them great for weight loss. Dehydration slows down your metabolism, further causing weight gain and other health problems. Consuming sweet potato helps rehydrate your cells and boost metabolic activity in the body.
Is sweet potato high carb?
Sweet potatoes have a lot of carbohydrates. One 5-inch sweet potato has about 26 grams of carbohydrates. In a low-carb diet, one sweet potato has half of the calories from carbohydrates that you may be allowed. But that's still less than the carb content of a white potato: 35 grams, on average.
What is the healthiest vegetable?
1. Spinach. This leafy green tops the chart as one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables. That's because 1 cup (30 grams) of raw spinach provides 16% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin A plus 120% of the DV for vitamin K — all for just 7 calories ( 1 ).
Are sweet potatoes inflammatory?
Purple-fleshed sweet potatoes are thought to contain super-high levels of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. As these substances pass through your system, they balance out free radicals -- chemicals that harm your cells.
Is sweet potato healthier than rice?
The sweet potato scores higher than the rice in fiber, giving you 13 percent of the daily value (DV) on a 2,000-calorie diet, while brown rice supplies just 7 percent. Fiber has numerous benefits, including maintaining healthy bowel movements, assisting with weight control and helping to lower cholesterol.
Is sweet potato a Superfood?
Nutritional Therapist Of the thousands of vegetables available today, sweet potatoes are considered one of the most nutritious. The orange- (or sometimes purple) fleshed vegetables are loaded with minerals and A, B, and C vitamins. This has led to sweet potatoes being called a superfood by many.
Is sweet potato high in sugar?
Since sweet potatoes are high in carbohydrates, they can spike blood sugar levels. Their fiber content helps to slow down this process. Orange sweet potatoes have a higher GI. This can increase your blood sugar level, compared to other sweet potato varieties.
The importance of potatoes and sweet potatoes
Potatoes and sweet potatoes might not look all that impressive, but those oval-shaped vegetables rank as two of the world’s most-produced crops. Both are viewed as essential for global food security.
Nutrition: potato vs. sweet potato
Let’s start with this basic fact: Potatoes and sweet potatoes bring a lot to the table when it comes to nutrition, says Czerwony. They’re both lower-calorie, low-fat foods that are rich in:
So which potato is healthiest?
No matter how you peel away at this question, one thing is obvious — potatoes and sweet potatoes both qualify as healthy, nutritious foods. “Neither one of them is a bad choice,” says Czerwony. But if you have to pick just one, sweet potatoes hold a slight edge, says Czerwony. The main reason? Beta carotene and vitamin A.
Where do sweet potatoes come from?
Both potatoes and sweet potatoes originate in South America (thank you, Peru and Bolivia), yet they are only distantly related, arising from different plant families. That said, both are considered root vegetables. The potato is hardier, able to be grown in various climates and soil types, while the sweet potato is unable to tolerate frost and is more sensitive to daylight. Commonly, the potatoes sold to consumers have coats appearing in shades of brown or red and white flesh, while sweet potatoes generally have rougher brown coats with orange flesh. However, individual varieties of each come in many different colors and some sweet potatoes even bear white flesh.
Is sweet potato healthier than regular potato?
Despite its obvious popularity, this starchy staple often gets a bad rap from dieters, and over the past decade or so, sweet potatoes have been touted as the regular potato’s healthier cousin.
What are the differences between sweet potatoes and white potatoes?
Although they do provide some nutritional differences, for example: 1 Sweet potatoes are very high in vitamin A. 2 White potatoes are higher in potassium. 3 Sweet potatoes are high in antioxidants (all varieties). 4 White potatoes are made up of compounds called glycoalkaloids, which have been shown to have anticancer effects.
Why are sweet potatoes poisonous?
The plants in this family are poisonous because they produce something called solanine. Make sure that you don’t eat the stems or leaves of any plant in this particular food group. As you now know sweet potatoes and potatoes are very similar in caloric content.
How many types of sweet potatoes are there in the world?
Yams are also a tuber. There are actually 5000 types of sweet potatoes worldwide and about 4000 varieties of white potato.
How many calories are in a 100 gram sweet potato?
And they don’t differ that much in their caloric content. 100 grams of raw white potato contains 77 calories. 100 grams of raw sweet potato contains 86 calories. So in actual fact, the sweet potato that is often touted as the healthier potato is slightly higher in calories.
Do baked sweet potatoes have a higher GI score?
This means that baked sweet and white potatoes have a higher GI score. A higher GI score isn’t a bad thing. It just means that that carbohydrate will be converted into glucose quicker. Potatoes still remain healthy and nutritious even when resistant starch is destroyed.
Is it healthy to eat sweet potatoes and white potatoes?
Sweet potatoes and white potatoes are both very healthy carb sources. And provide many nutrients including fiber, antioxidants and vitamin c. Although as discussed before there are advantages to including both potatoes in your diet. You can prepare them both in similar ways depending on personal preference.
Is sweet potato high in potassium?
Sweet potatoes are very high in vitamin A. White potatoes are higher in potassium. Sweet potatoes are high in antioxidants (all varieties). White potatoes are made up of compounds called glycoalkaloids, which have been shown to have anticancer effects.
Why are sweet potatoes good for you?
This mineral is good for bone development, metabolism, and vitamin absorption. They’re loaded with magnesium. Known as the “great relaxation mineral,” magnesium can help with blood sugar management, blood pressure, and metabolism.
How many calories are in a sweet potato?
Sweet Potato vs. Potato: The Nutritional Facts. According to the USDA, one medium baked sweet potato with skin contains 103 calories, 2.29 grams of protein, 0.27 grams of fat, 23.6 grams of carbohydrates, 3.8 grams of fiber and 7.39 grams of sugar. Just one serving will give you more than 400 percent of your daily vitamin A requirement;
What is the difference between white potatoes and sweet potatoes?
It’s also rich in vitamins C and B, as well as potassium. While white potatoes are lower in fat and sugar , calories and carbs in a sweet potato are lower. And while sweet potatoes contain more vitamin A and vitamin C, white potatoes contain more protein and fiber.
Why are sweet potatoes called yams?
Well, according to the Library of Congress, African slaves in America began calling the soft varieties of sweet potatoes “yams” because it reminded them of the vegetable from their homeland. The nickname for the soft variety stuck, while the firm variety continued to be referred to as “sweet potatoes.”. RECOMMENDED FOR YOU.
What family is sweet potato?
Sweet potatoes are from the morning glory plant family, while the white potato is from the Solanum (nightshade) tuberosum family. (Yams are often associated with these two vegetables; see sidebar for more details.)
What are the benefits of eating white potatoes?
White potatoes are a good source of antioxidants such as flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, which can neutralize free radicals and prevent cancer, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.
Where did sweet potatoes originate?
See Sweet Potato Facts and Benefits. Like white potatoes, sweet potatoes originated in Central and South America, but according to NPR.org, prehistoric remnants were found in Polynesia between 1000 AD and 1100 AD. How they got there is still a bit of a mystery.
This is why sweet potatoes are so healthy
The good thing about sweet potatoes: They can be made both sweet and savory. Either in a healthy curry, like crispy fries or chocolate. Brownies: In terms of diversity, the potato definitely tops. Even if you can eat both tubers without hesitation, we list the most important advantages here again:
Sweet potato recipes
The sweet potato is not only a food trend, but also a true source of nutrients. If you still prefer the good old potato chips like – no problem! Sometimes you have to treat yourself after all. Alternatively, we have these delicious recipe ideas for you:
How to make sweet potatoes healthy?
To prepare sweet or regular potatoes in a healthy way, try boiling or baking them, keep the skin on for more fiber, and serve with fresh herbs or spices instead of cheese, butter, and salt. If you’re concerned about the impact of these root vegetables on your blood sugar, opt for boiled over baked potatoes.
Which has more potassium, sweet potatoes or white potatoes?
While regular and sweet potatoes are comparable in their calorie, protein, and carb content, white potatoes provide more potassium, whereas sweet potatoes are incredibly high in vitamin A. Both types of potatoes also contain other beneficial plant compounds.
Why are sweet potatoes higher in GI than boiled potatoes?
Baked sweet potatoes tend to have a much higher GI than boiled ones because of how the starches gelatinize during cooking ( 8 ). The GI of regular potatoes also varies. For example, boiled red potatoes have a GI of 89 while baked Russet potatoes have a GI of 111 ( 8 ).
What are the antioxidants in sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes, including red and purple varieties, are rich in antioxidants that help fight cell damage in your body caused by free radicals ( 3, 4 ). Regular potatoes contain compounds called glycoalkaloids, which have been shown to have anticancer and other beneficial effects in test-tube studies ( 5. Trusted Source.
What are the differences between sweet potatoes and white potatoes?
While white potatoes are higher in potassium, sweet potatoes provide much more vitamin A .
What is the GI of sweet potatoes?
Depending on the type and cooking process, sweet potatoes may have a GI of 44–94.
What are regular potatoes called?
In the United States and some other countries, sweet potatoes are often called yams, even though they’re different species. Sweet and regular potatoes are both root vegetables. They’re distantly related but come from different families.
Which is healthier, sweet potatoes or white potatoes?
Which potato is healthier? Both potatoes are a healthy carbohydrate source. And the same amount of white potatoes and sweet potatoes contain about the same amount of carbohydrates (1/2 cup = 15 grams of carbs). Sweet potatoes, however, have more fiber and are slightly lower on the glycemic index than white potatoes.
What is sweet potato?
Sweet potatoes are full of slowly digested carbohydrates for sustained energy. Each medium sweet potato also delivers four times your daily vitamin A to help build hemoglobin, needed to deliver energizing oxygen to cells throughout your body.
How many carbs are in a russet potato?
But this vegetable doesn't deserve the negative rap. 1 medium baked russet potato with skin has about 170 calories, 37 grams of carbohydrate, 4 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. Potatoes are rich in potassium, delivering more potassium than a banana and 26 percent of your daily value.
Do sweet potatoes raise blood glucose?
For this reason, blood glucose will rise a little more gradually with sweet potatoes than with white potatoes. If you have diabetes, keep in mind the importance of portion size and distribution of carbohydrate-rich foods throughout the day.
How many grams of fiber are in a potato?
Fiber: 2.4 g. There are some differences between these two potato types, though. While both are root vegetables, they belong to different plant families. Sweet potatoes fall into the morning glory family, while regular potatoes are nightshades. And they have different micronutrient breakdowns because of this.
Is deep frying bad for you?
This likely isn't new information , especially when it comes to deep frying, but the way we cook our food can change its nutrient breakdown and health benefits. "Deep frying always makes food unhealthy. Submerging food in cooking oil increases the calories, carbs and fat content.
Do sweet potatoes have to be deep fried?
They're also deep-fried, paired with burgers and served in heaps. "These same types of studies haven't been carried out for sweet potato fries, specifically. What we do know, however, is that — before any cooking happens — both white potatoes and sweet potatoes are nutritious.
Is sweet potato a healthier alternative to french fries?
Or did you? "Sweet potato fries are often thought of as a healthier alternative to regular french fries. And while sweet potatoes themselves can come with a few extra health benefits, this is subject to change based on how they're prepared and cooked," says Emma Willingham, clinical dietitian at Houston Methodist.
Can you sub regular fries for sweet potato fries?
When you're trying to eat healthy but also really want to order that greasy cheeseburger, nothing vindicates your decision more than opting to sub regular french fries for sweet potato fries. Sure, your burger may be a little unhealthy — but at least you made the healthier choice when it came to your side.
Does sweet potato help with muscle cramps?
Sweet potato is also higher in potassium, which can help restore electrolyte imbalance and prevent muscle cramping and soreness," explains Willingham. In addition, sweet potato, depending on how it's prepared, can also have a lower glycemic index than white potato. The lower the glycemic index, the more gradually the food will raise your blood ...
Can you air fry sweet potato fries?
If your regular or sweet potato fries are deep-fried, keep an eye on the portion size. If you're making fries at home, opt for air frying as your cooking method, and you may benefit from choosing sweet potatoes if you're in need of some extra vitamin A and potassium and/or are keeping an eye on your blood sugar," adds Willingham.
