Potatoes vs. Sweet Potatoes

One potato, two potato, sweet potato? Sure! When it comes to Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts many families can’t decide between the potato and its sweeter cousin. Serving both, one mashed and one baked, is often the compromise made for a holiday dinner.

But what about every other night? Is one potato better for you than the other? The answer is…not really.

The potato and the sweet potato really aren’t so different. The sweet potato has slightly more calories but it has more filling fiber and immunity boosting beta-carotene. Both potatoes have potassium and many other vitamins and minerals.

This battle really comes down to your taste buds. Are you a potato person or a sweet potato person? As long as you leave the skin on (that’s where most of the fiber is found) you can be any kind of potato person you want to be.

Of course be sure you’re not topping that choice potato with so much sour cream, butter, or sugar that it becomes unhealthy. And remember, a casserole with loads of marshmallows, butter, and sugar is not the same thing as eating the potato itself. However, there are many healthy ways to enjoy a potato.

With less than 220 calories, no fat, lots of nutrients, vitamins, and a possible 7 grams of fiber—the potato family is one worth inviting to the dinner table.

Click here for more healthy facts from BistroMD. Happy eating!