Is sweet potato better for you than potato?

leahyl

Hi all, well the thread title is basically what I'm asking. If I'm trying to reduce carbs in my diet would sweet potato have any less carbs than ordinary potato? I'm guessing not but would it be better for you nutrition wise - are there more vitamins/minerals in it?

I really have to cut down on my potato/bread intake so trying to come up with alternatives

Thanks

hardCopy

They're going to be very close as regards calories and carbs but the sweet potato will have a bit more in terms of vitamins. They also taste great.

From MyFitnessPal (the sweet potato is salted so the sodium comparison is off):

boomtown84

They are different but both packed full of goodness...eat both(maybe in smaller quantities) and just cut out the bread.

leahyl

Great! Thanks a million for the nutritional info!! Yes I think maybe if I just reduce the portion size of the potato I eat and start eating sweet potatoes also as I don't think I could give up ordinary potatoes completely in the long run

Also might try the mashed cauliflower idea that I've read about on here before.

Thanks again

Mellor

Some people, especially those on a paleo diet, harp on about how the sweet potato is way way better than regular potatoes. But they're exaggerating imo (unintentionally maybe). It's true that raw sweet potatoes are lower GI, but this applies only when raw, once cooked thete's virtually no difference.
It's pretty much negligible so not worry about it. Portion size is far more important than type of potato.

metamorphosis

Not to mention that in Ireland we have culturally adapted to eat the potato then many others...if you prefer your potatoes white, then by all means enjoy, but as they say ... variety is spice of life

nice_guy80

potatoes are very good for you
but in moderation

incredible to think that Irish people were the tallest average population in Europe in the 19th century when all that the majority ate were spuds.