5 Surprising Reasons Sweet Potatoes Help for Weight Loss

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Because sweet potatoes are a “starchy” food, many dieters avoid them because they worry that they will be detrimental to a weight loss regimen. While it is true that sweet potatoes are high in starch, they are also considered to be a superfood because of the many health benefits they offer. One health benefit which may surprise people is that they are a great aid to weight loss. Read on to find out more about what sweet potatoes can do for you while you are dieting.

What is in a Sweet Potato?
To better understand the benefits of sweet potatoes, it is good to know what they contain. A medium-sized sweet potato of approximately 3 oz. will contain 90 calories, 0 grams of fat or cholesterol, 21 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of protein and 3 grams of dietary fiber. It is a rich source of Vitamins A and C and contains lesser amounts of folic acid, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E. It is mineral-rich, with high amounts of magnesium, calcium and potassium and contains 11,552 micrograms of carotenoids. The five reasons that sweet potatoes make a great diet food are listed below.

Low in Calories
While being incredibly nutrient-rich, sweet potatoes are low-calorie, clocking in at just under 100 calories for one serving. Compare with to white potatoes, whose caloric content is around 4000-500 calories per serving, and you will see the difference immediately. Eating low calorie foods like sweet potatoes is obviously great for weight loss, since the fewer calories someone consume, the more weight that can be lost.

Rich in Fiber
High fiber foods help dieters by promoting good digestion and make the digestive system more efficiently break down calories and fats in the body. It also helps to curb the appetite naturally by giving a feeling of fullness that will prevent hunger pangs and possible overeating.

High Water Content
Sweet potatoes also have a high water content, and this makes them a great dieting aid as well. The human body is mainly composed of water and needs plenty of water in the diet to keep it functioning properly. Foods like sweet potatoes thus help to give the body the water it needs and improves digestion as well as suppressing the appetite.

Low Glycemic Index
Sweet potatoes, despite their name, are actually low on the glycemic index, which means that they break down and are digested more slowly in the body and help to keep the blood sugar from rising and falling rapidly. Low-glycemic index foods thus stabilize the blood sugar and lowers insulin resistance, a phenomenon which can lead the body to store up fat, especially in the abdominal region.

Antioxidant Properties
Sweet potatoes are rich in carotenoids, powerful antioxidants which can decreased the damage done to the cells from free radicals; it also aids weight loss and has many other healthful benefits, including strengthening the immune system.

In conclusion, do not be afraid to include sweet potatoes on the menu if you are dieting. In spite of its name, it’s high-fiber, low-glycemic index and low-calorie properties make it an excellent choice for dieters.

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Samriti
Samriti has written a number of articles and blog posts for websites and print in the health industry. The majority of this writing was related to cancer information, blood pressure and healthy living.