In the ever-evolving landscape of weight loss strategies, one versatile vegetable has emerged as a game-changer: the humble sweet potato. Bursting with vibrant colour and a rich, satisfying flavour, sweet potatoes have garnered attention for their remarkable health benefits, and in particular, their potential as a powerful ally in achieving weight loss goals.
While the skin colour of sweet potatoes can range from orange, pink, purple, red and violet to beige, white and yellow ones with red, pink and orange skin are sweeter and moister than those with pale, yellow or white skin.
These tubers are an excellent source of nutrition, providing a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Interestingly, even if sweet potatoes share the same name as the popular favourite tuber, potatoes, the two are actually not related. They come from different plant families.
In this article, we will explore the scientific evidence behind sweet potatoes and weight loss to help you make an informed decision about including them in your diet.
Sweet Potato Nutritional Profile
According to USDA, a 100-gram serving of raw sweet potato contains:
- Calories: 86 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 20.1 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 1.6 grams
- Fat: 0.1 grams
- Vitamin A: 769% of the daily value (DV)
- Vitamin C: 3% of the DV
- Vitamin B6: 10% of the DV
- Potassium: 11% of the DV
Sweetening Your Weight Loss Efforts
There are various ways in which sweet potatoes assist in weight loss. Here are a couple of them-
