By Donna V. Scaglione
They’re not just for Thanksgiving anymore. While Americans may be in the habit of eating white potatoes more often than sweet potatoes, it’s the orange spud that is richer in nutrients and antioxidants and has the power to satisfy your sweet tooth in a way its blander sister can’t. Plus, there are many ways to prepare sweet potatoes and savor their natural sweetness that go beyond making “candied sweet.” Enjoy a sweet potato today for a big dose of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and more.
1. Complex carbs supplier
When it comes to spuds, Americans tend to eat more white potatoes than sweet potatoes — 10 times more per year, when measured in pounds, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. But with their 35 grams of complex carbohydrates, sweet potatoes supply more lasting energy than white potatoes, which offer 51 grams of simpler carbs.
The body breaks down carbohydrates into smaller sugars, like glucose, absorbs them, and uses them as energy. Complex carbs, as opposed to simple carbs, take more time for the body to break down and supply energy more slowly. Also, simple carbs are more likely to spike blood sugar, followed by an increased insulin response, causing fat to be more readily deposited.
