
04/05/2024
___Both are starchy tubers
___Both are full of nutrients
___Both are gluten-free
YET, BOTH ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL:
*SWEET POTATO may be cheaper and sweeter than Irish Potato but don't let the cost or the sweetness fool you. Between the two, sweet potato is a better food for those with sugar-issues.
Boiled sweet potatoes has a moderate effect on blood sugar levels when eaten. This is because it has a medium glycemic index.
Now, when you hear about the Glycemic Index of Food, it simply means the points indicating the ability of certain foods to increase the level of glucose in your blood.
Simply put, it represents “the number of carbs or sugar” in food from 0-100.
Boiled sweet potato has the GLI of 40-50. Meaning that it will not spike your blood sugar levels too much or too quickly.
The High Fiber content also adds to this advantage making it friendly for those with sugar issues. Meaning, the fiber allows your body to process the sugar more slowly instead of suddenly which leads to a shock or spike in blood sugar level.
The closer the glycemic index is to 100, the worse the effect on your blood sugar.
Low GI: 1 to 55
Medium GI: 56 to 69
High GI: 70 and higher
Because sweet potatoes has a low to medium GI, the impact on blood sugar levels is not bad.
Also sweet potato is:
___Super-rich source of Beta-carotene - a nutrient our bodies turn to Vitamin A. Meaning it is great for your eyes and skin.
___Contains about 40% of your daily Vitamin C requirement - a nutrient your body cannot make on its own. Meaning, it provides an essential nutrient great for your immunity.
___Rich in anti-oxidant, Vitamin B6, manganese and other essential nutrients. Meaning, it can protect against toxic materials in the body and reduce oxidative damage.
___Low to medium Glycemic Index. Meaning great for those worried about sugar levels in the blood.
IRISH POTATO
___Also rich in some nutrients.
___Higher Glycemic index than sweet potatoes. In fact, white potatoes has a whooping high GI of about 75.
Can you see that Irish potato will cause a higher and SHARPER spike in your blood sugar levels than sweet potato? It is not even to be compared.
Both are carbs. But just like fat and fat are not equal. All carbs are not created equal. That means if you are concerned about maintaining a stable blood sugar level, you know what to do.
Leave Irish or white potatoes alone.
Now before you go and fry a drum of sweet potato, know that cooking methods and food combinations can turn good food to dangerous one.
That said, boiled sweet potatoes are your best bet between the two. Don’t be deceived. The quality of natural food is not in its price.
What else are you looking for:
~~~The nutrient profile of sweet potato is superior
~~~The taste is far better
~~~It has a low to medium Glycemic Index.
~~~Higher fibre content
~~~Rich in anti-oxidants and essential nutrients
It is obvious that sweet potatoes are far healthier.
If you are concerned about making quality choice, eat sweet potatoes in moderation (like other healthy carbs). The more colourful the flesh, the higher the anti-oxidants and beta-carotenes.
So…
This or that?
Definitely SWEET POTATOES