6 Nutritional Value Of Sweet Potato

The name ‘sweet potato’ might be discouraging, making you think it is probably too sweet if you’re looking to maintain a low-sugar diet. However, you have nothing to worry about as sweet potatoes have high nutritional values and can be enjoyed in different ways. However, you must keep in mind that the ingredients and method of cooking can either increase potato nutrition or decrease it.

Potatoes can be found in several colors, but the most popular color is orange and can also be cooked in several ways. It is an underground tuber that is sometimes mistaken for yam in some parts of North American. The nutritional values of potatoes are many, and below are six nutritional values of sweet potato.

Two Grams of Protein

One sweet potato nutrition is protein; it is an excellent protein source as a mid-size potato can provide you with 2 grams of protein. That is because it contains sporamins, which helps the plant heal when it is damaged. According to recent research, the plant also contains antioxidants that make it valuable to developing countries due to this macronutrient.

27 Grams of Carbs

Carbs are another top potato nutrition that makes it such a great choice. A mid-size protein can provide you with more than 20 grams of carbs. Sugars make up to 32% of the carb found while starch makes up the rest. The glycemic index is pretty high and is therefore not considered very suitable for those who have type 2 diabetes.

3 Grams of Fiber

If you’re looking for a meal high in fiber, sweet potato might just be for you. You can get over 3 grams of this nutrient from a mid-size potato. There are both soluble and insoluble proteins found in sweet potatoes, such as pectin and lignin. 

Starch

There are three categories of starch found in sweet potatoes, and each can either be increased or reduced based on the cooking method. The starch that is rapidly digested makes about 80% of sweet potatoes. The resistant starch is just like fiber and makes up 11% of this plant, while the starch that is slowly digested is also 9%.

Zero Fat

Are you scared of the fat contained in sweet potatoes? You have nothing to worry about because sweet potatoes contain almost no fat. A mid-size potato contains as low as 0.1 grams of fat. However, the ingredients used in cooking the sweet potato might add fat to the dish.

Source for Minerals and Vitamins

This plant is very rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B5 and B6, Vitamin C, and also Vitamin E that helps with the common cold and helps convert food to energy rapidly. Also, you can find Potassium and Magnesium in sweet potatoes, which is ideal for a faster metabolism, lowered blood pressure, and growth amongst several other benefits.