By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
Forget the age-old debate of whether it’s pronounced po-tay-toe or po-tah-ta, how about which kind of potato has more to offer to our health? Sweet potatoes and regular potatoes are both super delicious and versatile and loved all over the world. Besides the fact that one is usually yellow or white inside, and the other is orange, and also that one is very plain flavored while the other is sweet, what are the nutrient differences between them, and which one is better? Let’s take a look at which spud takes the prize in terms of nutritional advantage.
However you pronounce it, a potato is another good source of all sorts of good stuff. (photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com)
According to registered dietician Beth Czerwony, sweet potatoes, and regular potatoes are both incredibly nutritious vegetables, and they actually have quite a few similarities, including that they are lower-calorie and low-fat foods. Both kinds of potatoes are also good sources of fiber, carbohydrates, potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C.
In terms of a side-by-side comparison of the two, sweet potatoes end up being just a slight bit healthier than regular potatoes, as they are slightly lower in calories, and are a better source of beta carotene and vitamin A. But that’s not to say that regular potatoes aren’t a nutritious choice. So, try alternating between the two, as it will add variety to your diet, and you’ll be able to reap the benefits of both!
Czerwony says that when cooking potatoes, baking is the best method, as you lose the least amount of nutrients this way. She also says to be mindful of the toppings that you put on, as this is an easy way to make that healthy potato not so healthy! And, to get the full amount of fiber that these potatoes offer, eat the skin as well!
So, pronounce “potato” however you’d like, and just remember to incorporate them into your diet, since both sweet and regular potatoes are chock full of nutrients! Not to mention, it’s pretty easy to find ways to use potatoes!
For recipes that use potatoes, check out the recipes page on the Fill Your Plate blog!