Are Sweet Potatoes More Nutritious Than Regular Potatoes?

Americans know people love potatoes—they’re America’s favorite vegetable. But misinformation can undermine consumer confidence. That’s why Potatoes USA actively works to correct inaccurate, misleading information wherever it appears. One common misconception is that sweet potatoes are more nutritious than white potatoes.

Are Sweet Potatoes More Nutritious than White Potatoes?

This question regularly comes up in media coverage of potatoes. Even though both vegetables are very similar nutritionally, media outlets will sometimes pick sweet potatoes over white potatoes without having the facts. 

Potatoes USA works hard to educate food journalists and dietitians about the relative benefits of white potatoes and sweet potatoes. For example:

Both vegetables are included on the FDA’s Top 20 Raw Vegetables list because:

• Both are good sources of potassium.
• Both are excellent sources of vitamin C.
• Both are similar in calories and carbohydrates.
• Both have similar amounts of protein.
• Both are a good source of vitamin B6.

The only significant differences? White potatoes have more potassium and vitamin C, while sweet potatoes have more fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin B6.

A Recent Correction in Action

• Vogue recently got this issue wrong, arguing, "But when it comes to which type of potato has the most nutritional benefits, one type of potato stands out. The winner? Sweet."
• Vogue based its original statement around an inaccurate description of complex carbohydrates (suggesting that regular potatoes aren't complex carbs) and an imbalanced review of the nutrients in both vegetables.
• Potatoes USA reached out to explain why potatoes are complex carbs and provided information about the relative amounts of key nutrients in both vegetables. Additionally, explanations were provided about the limitations of using the glycemic index to determine nutritional value.
• The result? Vogue corrected the article to say, "All types of potatoes are also, of course, immensely nutritious. They're filled with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and immune-strengthening properties."
• The updated article also quoted registered dietitian Bonnie Johnson, who formerly led the nutrition programs at Potatoes USA: "The reality is that regular and sweet potatoes are remarkably similar nutritionally. The only nutrient sweet potatoes are significantly higher in is vitamin A."

The main takeaway: Too many Americans aren’t consuming enough vegetables—so why compare them in opposition? Instead, encouraging consumers to enjoy both varieties can promote better nutrition overall.