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Sweet potato=new superfood???

lind3400
lind3400 Posts: 557 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
My friend was watching Dr.Oz and Shawn T the Insanity trainer was on it and he was talking about how good sweet potatoes were for you especially to lose weight and how he eats a ton a day....I always though they were full of sugar and starch and you should limit your amount...does anyone know anything about this and could give me some insight cuz I love them and would eat more of them if this is accurate....

Replies

  • issyfit
    issyfit Posts: 1,077 Member
    The South Beach plan allows 1/2 of a sweet potato per day, if that helps. I use them in stews, oven fries and chips (I buy Terra Chips at a grocery discount store for .30/bag instead of over $4 at the grocery)
  • hlw19
    hlw19 Posts: 29
    I love sweet potatoes too! I heard they are good carbs/starches. But then again, everything in moderation. I wouldn't eat anymore than two a day.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    Superfood? Not sure about that, but they are a good replacement for regular potatoes. They are jam packed with micronutrients.

    Sweet --> http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2667/2
    Regular --> http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2770/2
  • HonkyTonks
    HonkyTonks Posts: 1,193 Member
    Sweet potatoes are great for nutrition. This is because they have Vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and special carotenoids that provide antioxidants.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Sweet potatoes are delicious and nutritious. Dr. Oz isn't always wrong.
  • Katie1951
    Katie1951 Posts: 312 Member
    Sweet potatoes are good carbs and high in fiber. Pick them over regular white potatoes any day.
  • IronmanPanda
    IronmanPanda Posts: 2,083 Member
    New? I don't think so. I think they've been around for quite a bit. History dates them back to 750 B.C.
  • small4me
    small4me Posts: 45 Member
    We have been eating these weekly for years and years!! I don't know about daily, but they are very very healthy in so many ways.

    The easiest way to cook them is to cook them like a baked potatoe and peel them or cut them in half and scoop them out. Yum yum, bake a few extra, you can freeze them.
  • ryansgram
    ryansgram Posts: 693 Member
    They have alot of vitamin A and beta-carotene.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    Thought I'd throw in my favorite way to cook them. I peel and cube them into 1 inch cubes then throw them in the vegetable steamer. When they're done I mash them up with a bit of cinnamon and a pat of smart life butter. Om nom nom!
  • RangerSteve
    RangerSteve Posts: 437
    Sweet potatoes aren't going to make you lose or gain weight any faster than other types of potatoes. They're full of nutrients but so are a million other foods. Eat them if you enjoy them but calling them a super food is pretty ridiculous.

    On that note, they make excellent fries when you chop them up and bake/fry them.
  • HonkyTonks
    HonkyTonks Posts: 1,193 Member
    Sweet potatoes aren't going to make you lose or gain weight any faster than other types of potatoes. They're full of nutrients but so are a million other foods. Eat them if you enjoy them but calling them a super food is pretty ridiculous.

    On that note, they make excellent fries when you chop them up and bake/fry them.

    I thought super foods just meant they are very good for you (eg lots of nutrients, antioxidants, cancer fighting etc). I don't think there are any particular foods that will make you lose or gain weight. It's all calories in vs calories ou.
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