Sweet potatoes seem to have a “health halo” around them, and anyone who is carb-phobic will tell you to choose sweet potatoes over white ones, but is that sound nutrition advice? Not exactly. Potatoes are packed with nutrients, no matter their color, and both white potatoes and sweet potatoes have nutritional value worth talking about. Here’s what you need to know about which potatoes are better for you: sweet potatoes or white potatoes.
Sweet Potato Nutrition Facts
A medium-sized baked sweet potato has 100 calories, 23 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of protein, and no fat or cholesterol. It’s also rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene and vitamin C. Sweet potatoes are also loaded with potassium and vitamin B6.
Many Paleo advocates allow sweet potatoes on the plan where carbs and sugar are forbidden. Due to their lower glycemic index and plethora of nutrients many Paleo followers will enjoy sweet potatoes. However, this does not mean that sweet potatoes are healthier, in general, for the average consumer.
Baked, roasted, mashed, added to chili or pureed into soup – adding sweet potatoes to your meals can help you stay satisfied and provide you with a hefty dose of nutrients.
