VA dietician says sweet potatoes have good nutritional value

Sweet Potato: Sweet Nutrition

Have you ever wondered how sweet potatoes compare to white potatoes, from a nutritional standpoint?  Do you have diabetes and believe you shouldn’t eat sweet potatoes?  If so,  here is some “sweet” news for you.

Not only can those with diabetes eat sweet potatoes, but research has shown that this fall favorite may actually be helpful to regulate blood sugar.  Sweet potatoes offer a wealth of nutritional and health benefits that exceeds that of their white potato counterparts.

These are just a few of the nutrition attributes of sweet potatoes:

• Good source of fiber (For more on fiber click here.)
• Keeps bowels regular, which helps prevent colorectal cancer
• Helps lower cholesterol
• Decreases rate of absorption; helpful in controlling blood sugar
• Keeps you full between meals; which can be helpful in managing weight
• Blood sugar lowering effect
• May help to regulate blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and decrease insulin resistance; click here and here for some research on the diabetes friendly properties of sweet potatoes
• A complex carbohydrate
• A source of steady energy that minimizes sugar and insulin highs and lows
• Provides beta-carotene (a phytonutrient that gives it its’ orange color)
• Has anti-inflammatory properties potentially decreasing the risk of chronic disease; essential for eye health
• Good source of vitamins C and B6 (pyridoxine)
• Important for your immune system, nervous system, and metabolism
• Vitamin C increases iron absorption, promotes wound healing, and helps fight infection
• Provides the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium, and manganese
• Manganese helps maintain normal blood sugar control and optimal thyroid function
• Low calorie (lower than white potatoes)
• 103 calories for one medium size potato (about the size of baseball or computer mouse).  A medium white potato provides 145 calories.  Click here for complete nutrition information on sweet potatoes from the USDA National Nutrient Database.
• Naturally fat and cholesterol free/Heart Healthy

How to eat them:

Steamed or baked to maximize bioavailability [rate of absorption] of nutrients

If buying canned choose the no sugar or syrup added versions

Add a very small amount of fat (butter, margarine, oil) to maximize the absorption of beta-carotene/vitamin A

There are so many ways to incorporate sweet potatoes into your diet that don’t require sugar-dense marshmallows.  Here are some Healthy ways to enjoy sweet potatoes throughout the year!

For additional help contact your local VA PACT dietitian nutritionist, or MOVE! /TeleMove weight management program.  You can also visit NutritionVA.gov for educational handouts.

Laure Moluskie is a registered dietitian nutritionist, medical nutrition therapist.  She has 20 years of experience in medical nutrition therapy in the areas of weight management, diabetes, renal (kidney) disease and dialysis, disease prevention, long-term care, geriatrics, home health, technical writing and research.   She currently works with the medical team at a VA hospital in Maryland where she helps to honor America’s Veterans as heroes by providing the highest quality health care.