The Difference Between a Potato and a Sweet Potato
IntoFit | February 5th, 2009 | Foods and Products | 2 Comments »
Which should you eat, a potato or a sweet potato?
The rumor out there is that potatoes are bad for you while sweet potatoes are good for you. Here’s the truth – both pack a nutrient rich punch and both are good for you for different reasons! Potatoes don’t make you fat, it’s the portion you eat and what you put on-top of them that’s the issue. Here’s the scoop for a four ounce plain baked potato versus a four ounce sweet potato.
| 4 ounces | Calories | Carbohydrates | Protein | Fat | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potato | 105 | 24.4 | 2.2 | .1 | 1.7 |
| Sweet Potato | 103 | 23.6 | 2.3 | .2 | 4 |
Potatoes:
- Free of cholesterol and fat.
- Rich in Potassium (comparable to a banana!)
- 40 % of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C.
- Trace amounts of Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, and B Vitamins.
Sweet Potatoes:
High in fiber, free of cholesterol and saturated fat.- High in Vitamin A, C, B6, Potassium and Magnesium.
- Good amounts of Calcium, Folate and Iron.
- Vitamins in a sweet potato promote healthy skin, hair and eyesight.
- Known as an antioxidant rich super food. (Research suggests that antioxidants can help prevent diseases such as heart and cancer.)
Because of the high fiber content in a sweet potato, it tends to take longer to digest – leaving you feeling full longer! This is a great option for those watching their blood sugar levels.
A regular potato can spike your insulin levels when eaten alone, converting to energy (sugar) very quickly in your body. This can leave you feeling hungry again pretty quickly. Your insulin levels will rise and then fall – fast. However, rarely do you eat a potato on it’s own! It’s normally a side dish to a piece of protein. Protein takes a long time to digest. If you eat a potato with some form of protein it will have a less traumatic effect on your insulin levels.
- I personally would take a sweet potato over a plain on any day. Why? It’s fiber content, it’s rich antioxidant values and it’s delicious taste!
Serving size for both types of potatoes:
Mashed : 1/2 cup
Baked: The size of a computer mouse.
* Note: The baked potatoes you get in restaurants can be as big as 4 servings! Quarter or half your potatoes and share them!
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[...] few months ago I posted about the difference between a sweet potato and a regular white potato. CLICK HERE to check it out. The bonus with a sweet potato is that it does not spike your insulin [...]
[...] few months ago I posted about the difference between a sweet potato and a regular white potato. CLICK HERE to check it out. The bonus with a sweet potato is that it does not spike your insulin [...]