Sweet potatoes are plants belonging to the bindweed family and are native to tropical America. They are starchy vegetables that offer many health benefits.
In fact, in many cultures, even the leaves and shoots of the plant are eaten as greens.
How Much Does A Large Sweet Potato Weigh?
A large sweet potato weighs 8 oz or more. Anything weighing more than 8 oz is classified as a large sweet potato. In fact, the largest sweet potato ever grown was a massive 81 lbs. and 9 oz.
Sweet potatoes vary in shape and size, even more than their cousin, the traditional potato. And as such, there are more weight classes for them too.
A small sweet potato generally weighs around 3-4 oz. each, whereas a medium-sized sweet potato weighs around 5-7 oz. each.
Origin of Sweet Potatoes
The sweet potatoes’ origin can be traced back to South America, some 5000 years ago, and due to the help of people spreading it across the land, the entire Caribbean Sea was filled with sweet potatoes.
Sweet potatoes were grown in Polynesia even before the western exploration. These were spread by vine cuttings instead of seeds. The vine cuttings were brought to Polynesia by travelers who went from Polynesia to South America and back.
Health Benefits
Sweet potatoes have a lot of health benefits. Some of them include:
1. Highly Nutritious
Sweet potatoes contain many essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, carbohydrates, etc. For a detailed breakdown of their nutrient content, you can check out this link.
Sweet potatoes are abundant in antioxidants, which have the added benefit of protecting your body from unstable and harmful molecules known as free radicals.
2. Better Gut Health
Due to their high fiber content, sweet potatoes are excellent for promoting gut health among people of all ages.
Fiber is a nutrient that cannot be digested but helps stimulate bowel movements, making room for more regular bowel movements. Fiber diets have also been linked to lower chances of colon cancer.
3. Healthier Vision
Sweet potatoes have beta-carotene in high amounts. Our bodies convert this compound into vitamin A, which is used to form light receptor cells in our eyes.
4. Stronger Immune System
The benefits of vitamin A also extend to our immune systems. Vitamin A deficiencies have been linked to a less responsive immune system and increased chances of gut inflammation.
5. Prevent Cancer
Sweet potatoes are filled with antioxidants that offer protection from a subclass of cancers.
Among the antioxidants in sweet potatoes exists a special class called Anthocyanins, which have been shown to significantly mutilate the growth rate of specific cancer cells in studies.
6. Improve Brain Functionality
The anthocyanins in sweet potatoes have also been shown to protect brains by reducing inflammation and free radical damage.
According to studies, anthocyanins have also proven to be great enhancers of learning ability in information retention in mice.
How to Prepare Sweet Potatoes
Much like their cousin, the humble potato, sweet potatoes can be prepared in many ways and go with just about any meal as an excellent side dish.
Some people like them with skin and some without the skin. They can be enjoyed in baked, steamed, boiled, fried, pan-cooked, or any form you like.
Sweet potatoes have an inherent sweetness that forms excellent pairs with most seasonings, making them a great partner in any dish, savory or sweet.
Some of the ways you can prepare sweet potatoes are
- Sweet potato chips – Peel them, then slice and bake them.
- Sweet potato fries – Peel them, then cut them into wedges and fry.
- Sweet potato toast – Cut them thinly, toast them up, and top with anything you wish
- Baked sweet potato – Bake in the oven until they’re tender.
- Mashed sweet potatoes – Peel them, boil them, mash them with milk and add seasonings.
No matter where you go, any sweet potato dish will make for a highly nutritious and delicious dish.
Potatoes vs. Sweet Potato
Despite their names, the potato and sweet potato are not very closely related, just distant cousins, and they have many differences among them.
Firstly, potatoes are a member of the nightshade family, whereas sweet potatoes are from the morning glory family. Both are root vegetables, though.
Both vegetables bring a lot to the table when it comes to nutrient content – bringing much of the same nutrients in slightly different quantities.
It should be noted that sweet potatoes completely wreck potatoes when it comes to Vitamin A, with potatoes having 17 international units worth of Vitamin A.
In contrast, sweet potatoes bring a whopping 21,000 international units of Vitamin A – the benefits of which are immense.
How Much Should You Eat?
Sweet potatoes are very nutritious and can be an essential part of a person’s diet. One must have a meal with sweet potatoes three to four times a week.
In each meal, the portion size should be approximately one of a medium-sized sweet potato.
Frequently Asked Questions to How Much Does A Large Sweet Potato Weigh?
What Are Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are simply the roots of the sweet potato plant, the Ipomoea Batatas, and its other varieties.
Are Potatoes And Sweet Potatoes The Same?
They belong to different species of plants and, therefore very different. However, their nutritional content is essentially very similar and can act as substitutes most times.
Why Are Sweet Potatoes Different Colored?
The differences in the colors of sweet potatoes are because of their nutrient content. Orange sweet potatoes contain more beta-carotene, whereas the purple ones contain more anthocyanins.
How Do I Store Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes do not need much to be stored and can be stored for up to two weeks. But avoid refrigeration and store it in a cool, dry place instead. Store them away from strong heat sources and in a well-ventilated area.
Can I Grow Sweet Potatoes On My Own?
It is possible to grow sweet potatoes on your own. They are of tropical origin, meaning they are drought and heat resistant and less susceptible to pests and diseases. Although sweet potatoes hate the cold, they can be grown once the soil has warmed up in the spring after winter.
Conclusion to How Much Does A Large Sweet Potato Weigh?
A large sweet potato typically weighs at least 8 oz, but sweet potatoes can be bigger and heavier than that. For a sweet potato to be considered large, it has to weigh 8 oz or more.