Sweet potatoes and potatoes are very different in appearance and taste. But does that also apply to their nutritional values? We’ll tell you which potato is the healthier one.
Whether pure as jacket potatoes, creamy porridge or processed into dumplings – the Germans love the potato and like to eat it as a side dish. The exotic sweet potato can now also be found in our local supermarkets, which, like the local tuber, can be prepared in a variety of ways.
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Potato vs Sweet Potato: The Differences
Except for their name, the potato and the sweet potato have little in common. The potato belongs to the nightshade family and is grown regionally. The sweet potato is a morning glory that comes from Central and South America and is imported. The two potatoes are also visually different. The native tuber is smaller and yellow under its skin. The sweet potato is larger and has an orange hue in color. True to its name, it has a sweet taste reminiscent of pumpkin . It also has a shorter cooking time and can be eaten raw. The two are in no way inferior in their variety of preparation. Whether boiled, baked, deep-fried or mashed – both potatoes have a convincing taste.
Potato vs Sweet Potato: The Nutrients
But which plant is healthier? That tells us a look at the nutritional values. The sweet potato has 10 grams more carbohydrates per 100 grams and 5 grams more sugar, which is due to the sweet taste. The fat, protein and fiber content hardly differs between the two.
Larger differences can be seen in the micronutrients . Here the sweet potato is in the lead because it is richer in calcium, potassium and phosphorus as well as folic acid . The orange in the color is an indication of the secondary plant substance beta-carotene , which has antioxidant properties and is therefore good cell protection. There is plenty of vitamin E in the exotic tuber – believe it or not, 90 times more than in the normal potato. The vitamin C value is also twice as high as that of the local potato, which, however, has more iron and magnesium, which is of particular benefit to athletes.
Conclusion:Due to the higher nutrient density, the sweet potato performs better than the domestic potato. However, the potato does not need to hide, as it also has valuable nutrients and is therefore a healthy, plant-based food. Added to this is the ecological footprint that the non-native sweet potato leaves behind. The regionally grown tuber clearly scores here. In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet is important – for this reason, both bulbs should be a regular part of your diet.
