

#Yams vs sweet potatoes skin#
(Just make sure to wash the skin well to remove any dirt.) “Half of the fiber from a potato or a sweet potato is in the skin,” says Czerwony. The key to this health benefit, though, is to eat the skin of the spuds. They’re both lower-calorie, low-fat foods that are rich in: Let’s start with this basic fact: Potatoes and sweet potatoes bring a lot to the table when it comes to nutrition, says Czerwony.

There are more than 4,000 different types of potatoes and 1,000 varieties of sweet potatoes grown around the globe.Īdvertising Policy Nutrition: potato vs.

Both typically have brownish skin though, that can vary depending on the variety. Regular potatoes have white or yellow flesh inside, while sweet potatoes are known for having orange innards. Both are considered root vegetables, meaning the part of the plant you eat grows beneath the soil. Potatoes are part of the nightshade family, while sweet potatoes belong to the morning glory clan. “And aside from being healthy, they’re inexpensive and versatile in meals.” Botany 101 “Potatoes and sweet potatoes are a diet staple around the world,” says Czerwony. The total sweet potato harvest, meanwhile, reached almost 92 million metric tons during that same year. Both are viewed as essential for global food security.įarmers pulled more than 370 million metric tons of potatoes out of the ground in 2019. Potatoes and sweet potatoes might not look all that impressive, but those oval-shaped vegetables rank as two of the world’s most-produced crops. (You’re on your own for taste.) The importance of potatoes and sweet potatoes To settle the debate - at least in regard to which potato is the healthier option - we turn to registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD. There’s also plenty of arguing over which spud is yummier, of course. PolicyĪt the dinner table, though, they’re often viewed as side-dish siblings - right down to the rivalry over which one is more nutritious. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
