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Sweet Potato Fries vs. French Fries – Which One Is Healthier?
Americans love French fries, but they are not the healthiest option. Sweet Potato Fries vs. French Fries – Which One Is Healthier? is the popular question that people often ask. Sweet potato fries make a great alternative and can be just as tasty. They have less calories than regular fries and more fiber. However, sweet potatoes have higher levels of carbohydrates so it’s important to eat them in moderation. Read on for tips about how to prepare both types of fry and which one is healthier!
Let’s start with the scientific facts. French fries (also known as chips or crisps) are potatoes that have been deep fried in oil for a crunchy, salty exterior that we all know and love. Sweet potato fries are also pieces of sweet potatoes that have been deep fried in oil like regular French fries; however, because they’re made from sweet potatoes, they have a lower sugar content than French fries.
Sweet potato chips vs. French fries: Nutritional Value
When it comes to their nutritional value, both sweet potato fries and the deep-fried version of regular potatoes (the French fry) are processed foods with few health benefits. Both are high in calories, fat, and sodium.
One serving of French fries (about 6 oz) has about 270 calories, 13g fat, 4g protein, 50g carbs and 1170 milligrams of sodium — that’s about 44 percent of your daily recommended amount of sodium! Sweet potato fries are a bit lower in calories at 200 per serving, but they have about the same amount of sodium and carbs (27g), though they are higher in fat (about 7g).
Now, keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates — it depends on what kind of oil was used to fry them! Some places use healthier oils like olive oil or canola oil, but some places don’t. If you eat deep-fried French fries or sweet potato fries every day, those numbers can add up to be even higher.
While the calorie and fat content of both are high, your best bet is to stick to a small portion size (a few pieces) to keep things in check. A small amount of either will probably meet your enjoyment for fried foods without piling on the pounds.
Sweet Potato Fries vs. French Fries – which one tastes better?
The verdict’s still out on this one! Sweet potato fries have their fans; however, when it comes down to it, there’s just something special about the way they fry them that makes us love French fries so much more! Are sweet potato fries healthier than French fries? Yes! Are they better tasting than their deep fried counterpart? Not really!
When you go out to a restaurant, you’ll almost always have to pick between the American or the British version of sweet potato fries. In the US, it seems that the British version is somehow more traditional and delicious. It’s true that the British version of this vegetable was probably imported from France and was a staple of the English diet for many centuries. It seems to be a relatively new arrival to the US but American chefs have really made a splash with it. So, which one tastes better?
There are several things that you should think about when deciding between sweet potato fries and French fries. The first thing to think about is your diet, because there is a difference in how much each diet considers French fries vs. sweet potato fries. Most people in the US diet the American version of the potato, and French fries are often the ingredient used in cooking them.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy both versions of these foods. In fact, if you do find yourself tempted to pick up one just so you can have the taste of French fries without the guilt, then go for it! Just make sure that you don’t overdo it by adding too much sauce or dressing. In general, sweet potato fries are not as fatty or spicy as French fries. They are both pretty mild-flavored and a person could even eat them plain with no additional toppings added.
The texture is also a consideration when you’re picking between sweet potato fries and French fries. American fries are fluffier and lighter in texture than French fries are. They also tend to be spicier. Generally, if you like the flavor of fries, then you would probably prefer the American version. However, if you are a greasy eater, then you might want to stick with the French version. Either way, you can enjoy both of these food types by making them in your own home.
The decision between sweet potato fries and French fries also has to do with personal preference. Each one of these is a favorite on its own. Some people love the texture and some love the taste. If you really don’t care one way or the other, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy both versions equally. Even if you feel like you are missing out on one flavor, you can always make up for it by eating the other one.
You can also cook these two foods in your own home. Or, if you are like most people, you probably have a fast food drive-through. Then again, consider taking that giant French fries basket along with you for that trip to the fast food place. Who knows, you might end up buying the item from them! In any case, you can enjoy a delicious sweet potato fry, and the satisfaction of finally getting rid of that greasy packet of French fries that you have been wanting to get off of your hands forever.
Sweet potato fries vs. French fries – which one’s easier to make at home?
In general, deep frying is a pretty messy task. Despite how easy it looks in the movies and on TV, there are many factors that can affect how well your food turns out when you fry it — like what type of oil you use, how hot the oil is, if you’ve bought fresh or frozen potatoes/french fries and so forth.
It takes a bit of practice to create delicious sweet potato or regular french fries; however, most people have had their fair share of both at some point in their life (whether it be from eating them at a fast food restaurant or having them at a BBQ). It’s easy to pick out the differences in these two types of fries based on their taste, so that’s one advantage that regular French fries have over sweet potato fries. However, if you feel like making your own homemade sweet potato fries and frying them up at home — be our guest! We won’t judge.
Sweet Potato Fries vs. French Fries – which one’s healthier?
Despite the fact that both sweet potato chips and french fries are deep fried and high in fat content (hence why they’re delicious), Sweet potato chips win the healthy competition because they are made from a vegetable instead of a starchy tuber root (potato) and have less calories per serving. We’re not saying that deep fried sweet potato fries can’t be a part of a healthy diet — just make sure to eat them in moderation!
And if you’re really craving French fries, why not try making your own at home? It’s fun and super easy! Make sure to check out our recipe for homemade oven baked french fries here or our oven fried steak cut fries here!
For decades, the battle of the bulge has raged between the American sweet potato and the French fry. There is no real “right” answer to the question between these two versatile potatoes. Each one is a healthy choice, though you may notice some slight variations in the ingredients used in the preparation of each side of this rivalry. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what’s healthier: either one or neither one. You just have to think about what your preference is and then make that decision based on your daily eating habits.
While the health facts say that the French fries are better for you, it’s not really a health debate so much as a preference issue. Americans like their food fried and they love sweet potatoes! The only difference between them is that the French fries are healthier because they are lower in fat and they contain more fiber than the sweet potato. In fact, fiber is the basis for both of them.
Sweet potato fries are typically made with refined vegetable oils that are very high in calories and low in nutritional content. These kinds of vegetable oils have been stripped of most nutrients when they are first extracted from the tuber.
That’s why they are so often low in vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium. French fries, on the other hand, are typically made with higher-quality oils that are obtained from pigs’ feet. (Pigs’ feet don’t come cheap.) Therefore, the fat in the French fries contains more nutrients and fewer calories, making them a healthier choice than sweet potato fries.
Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are made with natural fiber. This fiber provides the bulk and “bulk” that allow the potato to maintain its shape when cooked, unlike French fries that are flaky and have no real structure. When you cook French fries, the high-fat batter creates pockets in which the vitamins and minerals in the vegetable oils are trapped. These pockets are filled with “empty” water and ultimately come out as a delicious, fluffy, and slimy treat.
While it might seem as though choosing between sweet potato fries and French fries is something that is purely a matter of preference, the American diet is anything but simple. Americans eat more than two billion pounds of potatoes each year, more than any other vegetable or fruit. Moreover, while Americans consume more potatoes than any other food group, they consume significantly less of other vegetables and fruits. This is likely because they are not aware that a better choice exists.
According to recent studies, a diet that is rich in both sweet potatoes and French fries makes people prone to several types of chronic diseases, including stroke, dementia, and diabetes. The British take a different point of view. According to the British Medical Journal, low-fat diets rich in fish and leafy green vegetables may help reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes. Sweet potato fries and French fries make for a good choice in terms of which one’s healthier.
Healthy snacking option: Homemade Sweet Potato Chips vs. Fried Sweet Potato Fries
If you find yourself in the mood for some serious flavor, but want something healthier than regular French fries — go with sweet potato chips . They’ll satisfy your cravings, have less calories and fat (and more fiber), plus they will still be delicious!
If you’re feeling like a snack that will fill you up, go with sweet potato fries . For one, they’re much bigger than chips — just make sure to have some ketchup on hand for dipping! And as we said in the first section of this article, fried sweet potato fries are much more satisfying and filling because of their higher calorie content.
Sweet Potatoes vs. Regular Potatoes
What about regular potatoes? Should you be eating them instead of sweet potatoes? Well if you’re talking about plain baked or boiled white potatoes (with skin), again, no ! There is nothing wrong with eating these regularly; however, keep in mind that they contain high amounts of starch which can spike your blood sugar levels quickly unless you pair them with other foods.
If you’re trying to lose weight, plain white potatoes may not be your best friends! But hey — that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy sweet potatoes more often than regular ones! While they’re both tubers, sweet potatoes contain higher amounts of vitamins and take longer to digest than starchy potatoes; which means that they will fill you up faster and keep you satisfied for longer — making them the perfect choice when it comes to curbing those hunger pains on a busy day!
So What Is Your Choice: Sweet Potato Fries vs. French Fries?
Whether or not you choose deep fried sweet potato fries or french fries is completely up to your preferences and desired dining experience . At the end of the day, they both have a lot of commonalities. They’re both fat and calorie dense when you consume them, which is why we recommend eating them in moderation. Plus they taste pretty darn delicious!
Regardless of what type of fries you eat, you should always make sure to pair your meal with some healthy fruits or veggies (or even whole grain bread!) — this will help balance out the meal’s nutritional value and help prevent overeating/taking on too many calories. Here are ways to cut down on your french fries so that you won’t have to worry about consuming too many “bad” calories:
1) Request that any excess oil be drained from your fries before serving . This way, instead of absorbing those fats into the food itself, it can be easily avoided.
2) Ask for a ketchup/mayonnaise based condiment or add your own . You’ll be less likely to use as much of the fatty sauces if you can control how much you dip! Also, steer clear of dipping fries in cheese when possible; it’s a big calorie trap and very difficult to avoid once inside the french fry hole.
3) Portion Control — If eating fried sweet potato fries, keep track of how many chips you eat so that you don’t overdo it. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised at just how filling they actually are!
4) Eat with other food/maintain portion sizes of main meal — If you’re going to eat deep fried sweet potato fries, make sure that you have a modified version of the meal that is served with it. If you begin your meal with fries, you’re more likely to overdo it (especially if you don’t pay attention to how much of a serving size you actually have).
5) For Sweet Potato Chips… eat them as a snack between meals, not as an appetizer! This way they won’t fill up your stomach too quickly and make you want to reach for another portion of chips!
6) Go with regular french fries if cost is an issue —While sweet potato fries are typically $1-2 more expensive than regular French fries (depending on where you are), many places offer both kinds so that their customers can choose which type they’d like; just be sure to keep the other tips in mind so that you don’t overeat!
7) And More Ways to Cut Down on French Fries… Sweet Potato, like any other food has its benefits. But it is also important to keep track of calories and servings when eating this delicious tuberous vegetable. Some ways you can do so include:
-Eating them with an apple or yogurt dip instead of ketchup/mayo based sauces (cutting down 4-6 calories per fry).
-Staying away from French Fries as a side dish. Having your sweet potato fries along with a meal will reduce the temptation to over eat; plus you’ll have more room for fruits, vegetables and whole grains on your plate too.
-If deep fried sweet potato fries are your thing make sure you check the calories per serving. Many restaurants offer these delicious treats that are 500-600 calories each!
If you’re going to indulge in a French Fry or Sweet Potato Fry feast, be sure to do it in moderation and pair your meal with a healthy side dish — like veggies, fruits, whole grains or even some lean meat.
Conclusion
So: Sweet Potato Fries vs. French Fries? It’s all about savoring the experience! The take home message is this…Enjoy your fries every once in a while but keep them as an occasional treat. Love ’em up at Thanksgiving or on game day; but don’t feel pressured into consuming more than one portion of sweet potato fries per week (no matter how tasty they are!) — and you’ll be sure to enjoy the experience even more.
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