Since both regular potatoes and sweet potatoes are root vegetables, they share some characteristics. However, there are many important differences between them as well. Here we join the sweet potato vs potato debate and review some of the benefits of each.
Sweet Potato: Calories and Nutrients
Sweet potatoes are root vegetables that belong to the morning glory family (scientific name, Convolvulaceae), which includes about 1,600 species.
As for its calorie content, 100 grams of sweet potatoes baked in skin without salt contains 90 calories, which is equal to 5% of the recommended value.
Additionally, sweet potatoes are also a very good source of vitamin C (19.6 mg per 100 grams, 33% of DV), vitamin A (19217 IU per 100 grams, 384% of DV), and manganese (0.5 mg per 100 grams, or 25% of DV).
Potato: Calories and Nutrients
Like sweet potatoes, regular potatoes are root vegetables. However, unlike sweet potatoes, potatoes are part of the nightshade family (Solanaceae).
If you want to learn more about nightshades (including the reason why the French forbid potatoes at some point!) be sure to read our blog “Are Bell Peppers Nightshades?”
100 grams of regular potatoes baked with skin and without salt provide 93 calories, which are equal to 5% of DV.
Potatoes also provide vitamin C (9.6 mg per 100 grams, 16% of DV), vitamin B6 (0.3 mg per 100 grams, 16% of DV), potassium (535 mg per 100 grams, 15% of DV), and manganese (0.2 mg per 100 grams, 11% of DV)
Sweet Potato vs Regular Potato
As you can see, although sweet potatoes pack a lot of punch in the vitamin A department, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes are very similar in their caloric content and nutrition profile.
The good news is that you don’t have to choose! You can enjoy both sweet potatoes and regular potatoes according to whatever your taste and your nutrient needs dictate.
For more interesting food facts, check out our previous blogs, “Are Veggies Protein?” and “Plantains vs Bananas: Are They the Same?”
Chef Gourmet: We Know Good Food
If you love good food, then we have something in common! At Chef Gourmet, we use only fresh ingredients to create delicious dishes inspired by culinary traditions from around the world.
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