Sweet potato are a staple food in many diets, and they’re often a healthier alternative to regular potatoes. They’re also packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, beta-carotene, and fiber. But how many calories does an average sweet potato have? And what else can you do with one besides eating it raw or baked?
Sweet Potato Calories Are an Excellent Source
Sweet potato calories are a good source of beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for healthy eyesight and skin. Sweet potatoes also contain other vitamins and minerals that help support your body’s systems.
Beta-carotene: Sweet potatoes provide more than 700 percent of the daily recommended intake (DRI) for this antioxidant. The DRI for beta-carotene is 900 micrograms per day for adults between 19 and 50 years old; pregnant women should consume 12 mg/day; lactating mothers should consume 13 mg/day; children 4-8 years old need 6 mg/day; infants 7 months or younger should have 5 mcg/day
Vitamin C: A sweet potato provides almost 10 percent of the recommended intake for vitamin C. The DRI for adults between 19 and 50 years old is 75 mg/day; pregnant women should consume 85 mg/day; lactating mothers should consume 115 mg/day; children 4-8 years old need 25 mg/day; infants 7 months or younger should have 20 mg/day. Magnesium: About 30 percent of your daily magnesium needs are met by one medium-sized sweet potato.
One Medium Baked Sweet Potato Calories
The number of sweet potato calories in a sweet potato depends on the size and type of sweet potato you eat. A medium-baked sweet potato contains about 150 calories or about half of what you need for a single meal. Calories are the energy your body needs to function. If you want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, it’s important to know how many calories are in foods you eat regularly so that you can balance them out with physical activity and other lifestyle factors (like sleep).
Calories come from three main sources: fat, carbohydrates, and protein. Fat provides about 9 calories per gram; carbs provide 4 calories per gram; protein provides 4 calories per gram – but remember that these numbers are averages! The actual amount varies depending on how much water is present in each food item because water contains no nutrients whatsoever (and therefore doesn’t contribute any calories). That means if something has more water than another similar type of food then it will have fewer overall nutrients as well – which could mean fewer vitamins/minerals/etc.
Baked Sweet Potato Calories Have a Higher Starch Content
Baked sweet potatoes also contain more calories than boiled ones about 40% more on average. This can be explained by their increased starch content, which makes them denser than raw ones and thus harder for our bodies to digest and absorb nutrients from.
The same goes for baked potatoes, which are also higher in calories than boiled ones. A medium-sized baked potato contains about 200 calories, compared to about 100 for a medium-sized boiled potato. This is because baking helps break down the fibrous starches in the potato and release their sugars, making them taste sweeter and more palatable.
A Healthy Alternative to Baked Sweet Potato Calories
Sweet potatoes are a healthy alternative to baked sweet potato calories. Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients and low in fat. They’re also a good source of beta-carotene and a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and manganese.
If you’re looking for a healthy side dish for your next meal or dinner party, look no further than the sweet potato! These orange-fleshed tubers are loaded with vitamins A (beta-carotene), C, and B6 as well as zinc which helps maintain healthy skin tissue.
and may also help reduce the risk of developing diabetes. They are also rich in potassium, which is an important nutrient for muscle function and fluid balance. Sweet potato is a good source of fiber. Fiber helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly and may lower cholesterol levels. It also provides some protection against heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Conclusion
Sweet potato calories are a nutritious and delicious food that can be enjoyed on a regular basis. They are rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, copper and manganese. Sweet potatoes also contain some of the same antioxidants found in dark chocolate! Sweet potatoes are naturally low in calories which makes them perfect for anyone trying to lose weight or maintain their current weight while eating healthy foods.
