Is sweet potato good for you?

They're high in fiber and antioxidants, which protect your body from free radical damage and promote a healthy gut and brain . They're also incredibly rich in beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A to support good vision and your immune system.

Is sweet potato healthy for weight loss?

Absolutely. Besides their health benefits, sweet potatoes are a great addition to any weight loss diet . First up, they're very high in fibre — especially soluble fibre. Soluble fibre is excellent because it slows down your digestion and helps you feel full, which can curb the urge to snack between meals.

Are sweet potatoes anti-inflammatory?

The beta-carotene in sweet potatoes has been shown to fight inflammation , and eating them regularly can help ease joint pain and other symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. If you're looking for a delicious way to reduce inflammation, add some sweet potatoes to a salad or bake alongside protein!

What is the healthiest potato to eat?

All potatoes can fit into a healthy diet, but purple potatoes, red potatoes, and sweet potatoes —which are often grouped with potatoes—stand out due to their high amounts of protective plant compounds and essential nutrients.

Can eating a sweet potato every day unhealthy?

If you enjoy sweet potatoes, you can absolutely enjoy them daily. However, eating multiple sweet potatoes every day could cause a harmless condition called carotenodermia, where your skin turns yellow-orange . You may also want to be cautious about your sweet potato intake if you have a history of kidney stones.

What is the healthiest way to eat sweet potatoes?

Boiling may theoretically be best , but sweet potatoes are so incredibly healthy that the actual best way to prepare them is whichever way will get you to eat the most of them! The exception is deep frying, which can lead to the formation of acrylamide, a potential human carcinogen.

What are the disadvantages of sweet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes contain high amounts of oxalates that may increase the risk of calcium-oxalate kidney stones . Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, and their excessive consumption can lead to hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A toxicity), in which excess vitamin A accumulates in the liver.

Is sweet potato high in sugar?

Sweet potatoes are the perfect example of a carbohydrate that's high-nutrient and low in sugar , sodium and saturated fat. It's exactly what diabetes experts recommend fill up one-quarter of your plate at mealtimes.

Do sweet potatoes help with belly fat?

While sweet potatoes can be part of a healthy diet for weight management, there is no specific food that targets belly fat reduction . Spot reduction of fat in a particular area, such as the belly, is not possible.

Are sweet potatoes high in sugar?

Sweet potatoes are the perfect example of a carbohydrate that's high-nutrient and low in sugar , sodium and saturated fat. It's exactly what diabetes experts recommend fill up one-quarter of your plate at mealtimes.

Is a sweet potato a carb or protein?

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.

Is sweet potato a junk food?

What we do know, however, is that — before any cooking happens — both white potatoes and sweet potatoes are nutritious . And almost equally nutritious at that," adds Willingham. Raw sweet potatoes and white potatoes have comparable nutrition profiles, with similar calories per serving and macronutrient breakdown.

Is a sweet potato a Superfood?

Sweet potatoes earned the name "superfood" because of the amount of nutrients they have . Studies show they may help with: Cancer. Carotenoids in sweet potatoes might lower your risk for cancer.

Sweet Potatoes (2024)

Sweet potatoes are typically recognized by their copper-colored skin and vibrant orange flesh, though the hundreds of varieties grown worldwide display colors such as white, cream, yellow, reddish-purple, and deep purple. Although they are often found on holiday tables covered in marshmallows or mixed with added sweeteners, there’s no need! True to their name, sweet potatoes have a naturally sweet flavor, which is further enhanced through cooking methods like roasting. They are also one of the top sources of beta-carotene—a precursor to vitamin A.

Unlike a potato (edible tubers of the nightshade family), the sweet “potato” is a large edible root within the morning glory family. They’re also different from yams, which are edible tubers within the lily family and native to Africa and Asia. Chances are the “yams” found in your local supermarket are actually a variety of sweet potato. True yams are distinguishable by their blackish/brown, bark-like skin and white or purple-toned flesh.

Source Of

Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C
Potassium
Fiber

Sweet Potatoes and Health

Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are richest in beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes with purple flesh are richer in anthocyanins. Beta-carotene and anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant “phyto” chemicals that give vegetables their bright colors. These phytochemicals are researched for their potential role in human health and disease prevention.
If swapping sweet potatoes for white potatoes, you’ll still want to go easy on the portions: Though sweet potatoes are a rich source of beta carotene, they have a highglycemic index and glycemic load—almost as high as that of a white potato. Most people don’t eat sweet potatoes in the same over-sized quantities as they do white potatoes, which is perhaps why research studies haven’t found sweet potatoes to be a major culprit for weight gain and diabetes.

Make

Store sweet potatoes in a cool, dry place. They are more perishable than you might think, so it is best to use them within a week of purchase.
Before cooking, scrub the skins well as these are edible and nutritious.
Pierce the potato with a fork 4-5 times, which allows steam to escape.
- If cooking in an oven, place on a lined baking sheet in a preheated oven to 400 F. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until flesh is tender. Allow potatoes to cool a few minutes before slicing.
- If microwaving, place on a microwave-safe dish and heat on high 8-10 minutes. Turn potatoes bottom side up halfway through cooking to ensure even heating. Allow potatoes to cool a few minutes before slicing.
If boiling on the stove, peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes. Rinse well in a colander. Transfer potatoes to a pot and add water until cubes are completely covered. On medium-high heat, cover the pot and let potatoes simmer until tender, usually about 15-20 minutes. Drain the potatoes in a colander and season as desired.

Serve

Add cooked, diced sweet potatoes to soups or salads.
For a quick meal, slice a baked sweet potato in half and top with cooked beans, broccoli, and feta cheese or Greek yogurt.
For mashed sweet potatoes: Use a fork, masher, or blender to puree the cooked potatoes. Add liquid such as water, broth, or milk if a smoother consistency is desired. Season with a dash of salt, pepper, spices, or herbs as desired.
For roasted sweet potato wedges: Wash and cut a medium sweet potato into wedges. Coat with olive oil and spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and herbs or spices if desired. Bake at 375 F for 25-35 minutes or until the insides are tender and the outsides are crisp.

More recipe ideas and serving suggestions featuring sweet potatoes:

Did You Know?

In addition to the root, sweet potato leaves and shoots are also edible and commonly eaten in some countries.
Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene and makes the nutrient more absorbable than other cooking methods such as baking or frying. Up to 92% of the nutrient can be retained by limiting the cook time, such as boiling in a pot with a tightly covered lid for 20 minutes. Cooking with the skin on further helps to minimize leaching of nutrients including beta-carotene and vitamin C.

Terms of Use

The contents of this website are for educational purposes and are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The Nutrition Source does not recommend or endorse any products.