

Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index which helps lower blood sugar spikes. Sweet potatoes are healthier than regular potatoes due to their higher levels of antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber and beta-carotene.

But are sweet potatoes healthier than regular potatoes? Suddenly, sweet potato fries were offered as a healthier alternative to regular french fries in almost every restaurant.

a plain baked white potato, the white potato may be the better choice," says Manaker.It seems that it was only yesterday sweet potatoes came in and became the newest health craze. But, if it is a question of a sweet potato casserole that is covered with marshmallows, sugar, and butter vs. "If a person enjoys both and they are not fried or topped with caloric or high-fat condiments, a sweet potato will be the better choice. Preparation matters for both white and sweet potatoes, even if sweet potatoes have more nutrients than white. As long as people aren't leaning on white potatoes only in the form of fried chips and french fries, enjoying a white potato as a part of an overall healthy diet is absolutely ok," says Manaker. White potatoes do contain important nutrients and they are an extremely versatile and low-cost choice that many people enjoy. "Even though sweet potatoes are more nutrient-dense, that does not mean that the white potato needs to be avoided.

If sweet potatoes are healthier than white potatoes, does that mean you should skip white potatoes? The calories, fat, protein, and carbohydrates that both provide are basically the same," says Manaker. "Macronutrient-wise, both potatoes clock in at very similar values. But white potatoes get a point for having more potassium, adds Manaker.
ARE SWEET POTATOES HEALTHIER THAN REGULAR POTATOES SKIN
Specifically, "when comparing a sweet potato vs a white potato, the sweet contains more fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and calcium when compared with a white potato of the same quantity (assuming the skin of both potatoes are consumed)," says Manaker. But when truly evaluating the nutrients that both provide, a sweet potato will provide more nutrients per bite vs. "When baking a sweet potato and a white potato, both offer health benefits, and neither is a 'bad choice'. white potatoes: which is healthier?Īs you can tell, there are benefits of eating both sweet and white potatoes however, there is a winner when it comes to the additive benefits. RELATED: Popular Foods With More Potassium Than a Banana Sweet vs. "Plus, like sweet potatoes, they are naturally low in fat and they are cholesterol-free." White potatoes contain fiber as well as vitamin C and potassium-nutrients that are essential for supporting our overall health," says Manaker. "White potatoes aren't void of any nutrients, despite what the internet tells you. Let's dive into the nutritional advantages of both white and sweet potatoes to determine once and for all whether sweet potatoes really are healthier than white potatoes. "While it is true that potatoes can frequently be served fried or smothered in cheese and bacon (or fried and smothered in cheese and bacon, a baked or boiled potato offers some serious nutritional benefits in an economical and delicious package," she adds. "Many people believe that white potatoes don't belong on a healthy dinner plate, but that is simply not true," says Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and member of the Eat This, Not That! Medical Expert Board. But is this long-held belief actually true? We associate potatoes' white color with refined foods, such as white bread, and because many potato-based foods are unhealthy (think fries, potato chips…). It's also because white potatoes are, well, white. Their bright orange color isn't the only reason we've been led to believe that sweet potatoes are healthier than white potatoes. How many times have you been at the grocery, stood in front of the potatoes, and froze-hand going back and forth between the sweet potatoes and russet potatoes? We've all been there at least once, and our pause is likely because we're torn between choosing something we've long been told is healthier for us (sweet potatoes) and the baked white potatoes we've grown up with topped with sour cream and bacon or roasted with garlic and herbs.
