They are on the menu of almost every bodybuilder: sweet potatoes, or ‘yams’ (although that name is officially incorrect). In the US, they are traditionally eaten at Thanksgiving. What is it that makes this sweet potato so popular among bodybuilders? And why don’t they eat ‘normal’ potatoes?
Although they are both root vegetables, potatoes and sweet potatoes, or sweet potatoes, do not belong to the same family. The ‘normal’ potato belongs to the nightshade family and the sweet potato to the bindweed family. In the taxonomy they are related only at the level of the order, one step higher than family. Just like tigers and domestic cats.
But why are they a favorite carbohydrate source for bodybuilders? What is the benefit of the sweet potato over the ordinary beeper? The first is its glycemic index. In addition, sweet potatoes contain more dietary fiber and more vitamins.
The sweet potato owes its low glycemic index (GI) to, among other things, the dietary fiber and its complex carbohydrates. Low-glycemic index carbohydrates are less quickly converted into glucose by the body and cause less abrupt rises in blood sugar than high-glycemic index carbohydrates, which are rapidly converted into sugars and cause huge swings in blood sugar levels, increasing your insulin resistance. can reduce.
In comparison, potatoes have a GI of 60, sweet potatoes a GI of 50, just on the border between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ carbohydrates (slow and fast, respectively). A sweet potato contains on average 2 grams more dietary fiber than a regular potato. They hardly differ in terms of carbohydrates, proteins and caloric value.
On some counts, especially minerals, the regular potato beats the sweet potato, but often the difference is marginal. The sweet potato more than makes up for that difference with its high levels of vitamins A, E and beta-carotene. The latter gives the sweet potato its characteristic orange color. Beta-carotene, or pro-vitamin A, is converted in the body into vitamin A and is important for the immune system. It is also likely to have an antioxidant effect, meaning that it protects cells and tissues from the damaging effects of free radicals.
Sweet potatoes have a lot going for them. As their name suggests, they are indeed somewhat sweeter than regular potatoes and therefore, according to many people, tastier. They are also very tasty in salads.
Should you completely eliminate white potatoes from your diet and replace them one on one with that weird orange sweet potato? Well no. White potatoes are a great ingredient for a post-workout meal, a meal you eat right after your workout. But at any other time of the day, it is indeed better to eat sweet potatoes.
Sweet potatoes are nowadays ‘normally’ available in the supermarket, otherwise you can find them at the toko, or online!