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Does Sweet Potato Cause Weight Gain? 8 Myths Explained

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One person says sweet potato is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Another says it is full of sugar, causes weight gain and should be avoided by anyone with diabetes. Both views sound convincing. Neither tells the whole story. Sweet potato is nutritious, but it is not a miracle food. It is also a carbohydrate-rich food, but that does not make it unhealthy. What matters is how much you eat, how it is prepared and what else is on your plate. The quick answer Sweet potato does not automatically cause weight gain, and people with diabetes do not always need to avoid it. It is a starchy vegetable that provides carbohydrates, fibre, potassium and several vitamins and plant compounds. However, it still affects blood glucose, so portion size and meal balance matter. In our previous article, we looked at the differences between white, orange and purple sweet potatoes commonly found in Sri Lanka . This time, let us examine the claims that often surround them. Myth 1: Sweet potato contains...

White vs Orange vs Purple Sweet Potato: Which One Is Actually Healthiest?

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Most of us in Sri Lanka know bathala as a simple breakfast food. Boil it. Peel it. Eat it with coconut, lunu miris or an egg. Then orange and purple sweet potatoes appear beside the familiar white ones. Suddenly, the bathala we have eaten for years starts to look rather ordinary. The brighter varieties certainly look healthier. But are they? Does purple sweet potato deserve its “superfood” reputation? Is orange sweet potato really better for your eyes? And should people who are worried about blood sugar avoid the sweeter-tasting varieties? The answer is not as simple as choosing the most colourful one. Each type has a different strength. Orange sweet potato stands out for beta-carotene. Purple sweet potato is rich in anthocyanins. White sweet potato is less colourful, but it is still a useful whole-food source of carbohydrate. Let us look at what the evidence actually says. The Quick Answer Sweet potato type What makes it ...