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I've been wondering about this for some time now.

A LOT of diets include sweet potatoes as a source of complex carbs, which would be just fine, if I lived in US. Since I don't there aren't any available to me ( and no, it's not the price, you just CAN'T buy them).

Therefore, could the sweet potatoes be substitued with regular potatoes?

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This question is off topic now, regarding the FAQ. – Informaficker Sep 12 '12 at 18:28

closed as off topic by Greg♦ Sep 12 '12 at 21:09

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1 Answer

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On the surface (by nutrient breakdown), they look pretty similar except that a sweet potato has massively more vitamin A. According to Dr. Mirkin:

7-ounce white potato with skin: 220 calories, 5g protein, 51g carbs, 20mg calcium, 115mg phosphorus, 2.8mg iron, 16mg sodium, 844mg potassium, 4g fiber, .22mg thiamin, .07mg riboflavin, 3.3mg niacin, 16mg vitamin C

7-ounce sweet potato: 208 calories, 3.5g protein, 49g carbs, 56mg calcium, 110mg phosphorus, 1mg iron, 20mg sodium, 693mg potassium, 5g fiber, 4350 RE vitamin A, .14mg thiamin, .13mg riboflavin, 1.2mg niacin, 49mg vitamin C.

One difference not captured in that breakdown is that the glycemic index is quite different at 85 (high) for white potato and 54 (medium) for sweet potato.

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Hmm.. The glycemic index would indicate, that this substitution wouldn't be recomended, if it's weight loss one is after. – Janis Peisenieks Mar 10 '11 at 3:53
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@Janis I tend to agree, since I lean low-carb/low-glycemic in my diet thinking. – Greg♦ Mar 10 '11 at 3:56

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