Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Should you avoid white potatoes and eat sweet potatoes instead?
Both white potatoes and sweet potatoes contain a variety
of nutrients. Here’s the comparison:
7-ounce white potato with skin: 220 calories, 5g protein,
51g carbs, 20mg calcium, 115mg phosphorus, 2.8mg iron, 16mg sodium,
844mg potassium, 4g fiber, .22mg thiamin, .07mg riboflavin,
3.3mg niacin, 16mg vitamin C
7-ounce sweet potato: 208 calories, 3.5g protein, 49g carbs,
56mg calcium, 110mg phosphorus, 1mg iron, 20mg sodium,
693mg potassium, 5g fiber, 4350 RE vitamin A, .14mg thiamin,
.13mg riboflavin, 1.2mg niacin, 49mg vitamin C.
So, as you can see, sweet potatoes are a good source of
vitamin A, and have a little more vitamin C and calcium (but less
iron) than white potatoes; otherwise they're pretty much equal.
We eat the potato skins as well as the flesh; the skins of many
vegetables and fruits are concentrated sources of nutrients and
fiber.
If you’re diabetic or trying to lose weight, eat your root
vegetables WITH other foods, not alone as snacks.
Here are some of Diana’s favorite recipes using sweet potatoes:
Sweet Potato Salad with Pineapple
Sweet Potato Bisque (a lovely creamy soup)
Sweet Potato Curry
And for white potatoes:
Green Bean-Potato Curry
Ratatouille with baby potatoes
Portuguese Potato-Garlic Soup
Gabe's Favorite Potato Salad
You'll find lots more here
Checked 2/1/10