Sweet vs Regular Potato: Is One Really Healthier Than the Other?
It’s common to believe sweet potatoes are
much healthier than regular white ones, and many people decide to cut
out white potatoes and replace them with sweet ones in an attempt to
improve their diet. Realistically speaking, the difference between the
two varieties is much smaller than most people think. The two varieties
belong to two different plant families, but they have a similar
macronutrient profile, differing only slightly in their vitamin content
and GI index.
In fact, the cooking method you use may
make a bigger difference to the health effects of potatoes than the
inherent nutritive content of the two potato varieties. Learn about the
actual difference between the two vegetables and healthy ways to cook
potatoes.
The Nutrition Content
White potatoes are often demonized for their “diabetes-causing”
ingredients, high-calorie content, and lack of any beneficial nutrients,
while sweet potatoes are known for their many health benefits. However,
if we examine the two tubers more closely, we’ll be able to see that
the two are actually not so different.
The difference in calories is negligible - with ⅔ cup (100 g) of sweet
potatoes containing 90 calories, while the same amount of white potatoes
contains just 2 calories more - 92 calories. The protein, fat, and
carbohydrate content of the two potato varieties are identical, both
contain 2g of protein, 0.15 grams of fat, 21g of carbs.
Both root veggies are rich in minerals and vitamins, such as magnesium,
calcium, Vitamin B6, and vitamin C, with sweet potatoes being marginally
richer in the last two. White potatoes also contain more potassium -
17% of the daily value as opposed to 10% in sweet potatoes.
The main difference between sweet potatoes
and regular ones is the amount of beta-carotene, aka vitamin A. This
vitamin imparts sweet potatoes with their orange hue, and it’s
practically non-existent in white potatoes. This color difference makes
many people believe yams are much healthier, which is just not true.
"People are under the impression that sweet potatoes are healthier
because they are orange. We have heard that 'white foods' are bad which
is not true," registered dietitian nutritionist Shana Spence said in an
interview with the Insider.
According to Healthline, sweet potatoes, especially purple ones, are
also higher in antioxidants. On the other hand, white potatoes have
compounds called glycoalkaloids, which have been shown to possess
anti-cancer properties in studies. The fiber content of both veggies is
also the same.
The Glycemic Index (GI Index)
Another pro-sweet potato argument you will
typically see is the difference in the GI index - which is the rate at
which different foods affect your blood sugar levels. If the GI index is
higher than 70, a specific kind of food will increase blood sugar
levels faster, which is why it’s not recommended for diabetics and
people with other blood sugar issues.
And while the glycemic index of sweet potatoes is lower than that of
white ones in general, the way you cook will significantly affect the GI
index, too. So, depending on the cooking method used, the GI index of
sweet potatoes varies from 44 to 94! Thus, it’s more important to choose
the right cooking method for potatoes than limit yourself to sweet
potatoes only.
Healthy Ways to Cook Potatoes
To enjoy all the nutrient benefits of both
sweet and white potatoes without worrying about blood sugar spikes, it’s
important to cook them properly and avoid adding unnecessary additives,
such as cheese, cream, sugar, or butter when preparing potatoes.
Frying will also increase the GI index of foods and will make both sweet
and white potatoes less nutritious. Dietitians recommend baking instead
of frying and keeping the skin on to get more fiber from the tubers.
Instead of excessive oil, cheese, and butter, nutrition experts say it’s
better to add herbs and spices to potatoes for extra flavor.
Combining potatoes and yams with non-starchy vegetables, fish, meat, and
other protein-rich foods is also beneficial, as it can further decrease
their glycemic index. Lastly, those who wish to decrease the impact of
sweet and white potatoes on blood sugar should boil them instead of
baking, because boiling actually decreases the GI index of starchy foods
like potatoes.
In summary, you can and should enjoy both sweet and white potatoes in a
well-balanced diet. As long as you cook them right, don’t eat more than a
serving of potatoes at a time, and include a variety of other
nutritious foods in your diet, both of the potato varieties will only
boost your health.