Are sweet potatoes healthier than regular potatoes?

Neither dominates. Sweet potatoes supply 961mcg of vitamin A per 100g, nearly all of it as beta-carotene, and carry more fiber, 3.3g per 100g against 2.1g. Regular potatoes answer with fewer calories, 77 per 100g versus 90, and fewer carbs, 17.2g against 20.7g. Potassium favours the sweet potato, 475mg against 435mg, so both count as legitimately nutritious carbs.

Which has fewer calories, sweet potato or potato?

Regular potatoes run a bit lighter at 77 calories per 100g versus 90 for sweet potatoes. A medium baked potato is around 161 calories while a medium sweet potato is 103, though size varies more than the per-gram numbers do.

Which potato is better for diabetics?

Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index (about 44-61) compared to regular potatoes (about 78-111 depending on preparation). This makes sweet potatoes generally better for blood sugar management. However, cooling cooked potatoes reduces their GI.

Are sweet potatoes or potatoes better for weight loss?

Both rank well for fullness. Plain boiled potatoes top the satiety index, and a medium potato delivers 161 filling calories. Sweet potatoes hold their own with 3.3g of fiber per 100g. Preparation matters most, since frying either one can triple the calories.

Which has more carbs?

Sweet potatoes carry more carbs in USDA data, 20.7g per 100g versus 17.2g for potatoes, and a medium potato reaches 36.6g because it weighs more. Sweet potatoes are higher in sugar at 6.5g per 100g, which explains the sweeter taste. Either way, both are whole-food carb sources rather than refined starch.

Which has more potassium, sweet potato or regular potato?

It is a tie. Regular potatoes carry 435mg of potassium per 100g and sweet potatoes 475mg, close enough that the choice makes little difference. A medium baked potato gets you about 926mg because it weighs more than 100g, not because it is the richer source. Potassium supports blood pressure control, and most adults fall short of the 4,700mg daily target, so either spud helps you catch up.

Are sweet potatoes anti-inflammatory?

Their orange color comes from beta-carotene, and 100g provides 961mcg of vitamin A, above the 700 to 900mcg daily recommendation for adults. Antioxidant compounds in sweet potatoes, including the anthocyanins in purple varieties, show anti-inflammatory activity in lab research, though human evidence remains limited.

Sweet Potato

Potato

All Comparisons

Sweet Potato vs Potato

It's a Tie!

Both foods have similar nutritional profiles

Compare sweet potato and regular potato calories, carbs, and nutrition. See which potato is healthier for your diet.

Verdict (USDA data)

Per 100g (USDA data), Sweet Potato has 90 calories vs Potato's 77. Sweet Potato has more fiber (3.3g vs 2.1g). Pick Sweet Potato for more fiber, Potato for fewer calories.

Sources: Sweet Potato (FDC 168483) · Potato (FDC 170026)