Sweet Potato Good for Weight Loss? Your Tasty Route to a Slimmer You! (2024)

FAQs

Sweet Potato Good for Weight Loss? Your Tasty Route to a Slimmer You!? ›

Are sweet potatoes good for weight loss? ~ Yes, sweet potatoes can be a great part of a weight-loss diet due to their high fiber content, low glycemic index, and nutrient density.

Absolutely. Besides their health benefits, sweet potatoes are a great addition to any weight loss diet. First up, they're very high in fibre — especially soluble fibre. Soluble fibre is excellent because it slows down your digestion and helps you feel full, which can curb the urge to snack between meals.

Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fibre, which aids weight loss by forming a gel like mesh in the stomach. This makes you feel fuller for longer and thus prevents you from overeating. Fibre also promotes stool movement and supports the production of good bacteria.

Though your serving might depend on what your health goals are, Alana Kessler, RD, says that a proper serving may be comparable to a clenched-fist worth of sweet potatoes. That's about three to four ounces.

On the potato diet, you eat only plain potatoes for 3–5 days. It's claimed to aid weight loss, restore gut health, and boost immunity. Though it may help you lose weight, it hasn't been studied, is extremely restrictive, lacks certain nutrients, and may lead to unhealthy eating behaviors.

If you enjoy sweet potatoes, you can absolutely enjoy them daily. However, eating multiple sweet potatoes every day could cause a harmless condition called carotenodermia, where your skin turns yellow-orange. You may also want to be cautious about your sweet potato intake if you have a history of kidney stones.

~ Eating sweet potatoes for breakfast or lunch can provide you with sustained energy throughout the day. They can also be a great post-workout meal due to their balance of complex carbs and nutrients.

Just one sweet potato gives you 102% of the vitamin A you need each day. This helps keep your eyes healthy as well as your immune system, your body's defense against germs. It's also good for your reproductive system and organs like your heart and kidneys.

Although there are no studies that directly examine the effects of banana on weight, they're high in fiber and low in calories. When included as part of a balance diet, bananas may help support weight loss goals. People who want to improve their health are often advised to eat more fruits and vegetables.

What is the healthiest type of sweet potato? ›

Sweet Potatoes and Health

Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are richest in beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes with purple flesh are richer in anthocyanins. Beta-carotene and anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant “phyto” chemicals that give vegetables their bright colors.

Sweet potatoes are a good source of beta-carotene. The body converts this compound into vitamin A, which is linked to hair health.

Hard-boiled eggs are an excellent source of lean protein. They'll fill you up without packing in too many calories, which is helpful if you want to lose weight. The protein in hard-boiled eggs also works alongside vitamin D to promote prenatal development.

Low-Calorie, Whole, Plant-Based Foods

The potato diet in its purest form does not allow for any other food besides potatoes, even nutrient-dense foods like fruits and vegetables.

Sweet potatoes are the perfect example of a carbohydrate that's high-nutrient and low in sugar, sodium and saturated fat. It's exactly what diabetes experts recommend fill up one-quarter of your plate at mealtimes.

Foods to eat

During 30-day no sugar challenges, participants are encouraged to fill up on whole, nutrient-dense foods, including: Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, carrots, asparagus, zucchini, sweet potatoes, etc.

Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, and their excessive consumption can lead to hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A toxicity), in which excess vitamin A accumulates in the liver. Although it is not considered harmful, the color of the skin and nails may turn orange.

If you want to lose weight, it's better to eat white sweet potato, instead of the ones with purple or yellow flesh. Be sure to steam or boil the tubers instead of using oil for cooking. You can substitute some rice with sweet potatoes to lose weight, but rice should not be switched out entirely.