Sweet potato fries have been sweeping the nation as a healthy and waist friendly alternative to traditional french fries. What is all this hype about? There are definitely some big benefits to making the sweet potato switch. The nutrients that you gain and the flavors are all intensely different.
Everything About French Fries
1. Basics
A french fry is deep fried slice of potato. They are wildly popular all over the world and even a stable in places like England, where they call them “chips”. They are fried in many different types of oils, each effecting it’s nutritional values.
2. Frying
The potatoes, after they are cut, are fried until crispy in oil. The oil that is most commonly is peanut oil, this is due to it’s high smoke point. Canola oil is also commonly used. Potatoes have a substantial amount of water in them naturally, this has a lot to do with frying them. When the potato is placed in the hot oil the water inside of them turns to steam. This steam blocks the oil from soaking through the flesh, is the oil is too cool then the fries will be soggy and very oily. French fries are fried in oil at 375 degrees F.
3. Nutrition
A medium serving of french fries, which is around 100 grams, has nearly 400 calories. They also have 18 grams of fat, and 250 grams of sodium. That doesn’t mean french fries are all bad though, the potato itself retains much of it’s values during the frying process.
Sweet Potato Fries Facts
1. Basics
Sweet potato fries are quickly gaining popularity as a healthy alternative to french fries made from regular potatoes. They are very high in fiber and various other nutrients. Their low calorie count and the fact that they are fat free.
2. Nutrition
Sweet potatoes are very high in fiber, which is great for a diet food. Fiber takes up a lot of room in your stomach, keeping you fuller for longer. A single sweet potato contains a full 4 grams of fiber. Sweet potatoes fries are also relatively low in calories with only 170 calories in a 22 piece serving. Sweet potato fries are also high in vitamin A, riboflavin, carotenoids, and vitamin B6.
3. Cooking Methods
The nutrition of sweet potato fries can be effected dramatically by the way in which they are cooked. Frying is the worst way to cook sweet potato fries because it adds unnecessary calories and depletes the natural nutrients. Oven baking, broiling, and grilling are the best options.
Differences Between French Fries and Sweet Potato Fries
1. Nutrition
Nutrition is the biggest difference between these two types of fries. French fries made from regular potatoes do not offer many benefits. They are high in starch and calories. Sweet potato fries have many different vitamins and are high in fiber. They are also comparably low in calories and fat.
2. Cooking
The preferred method of cooking for each of these types of fries are different. With traditional potato fries, the potato strips are deep fried in various oils. Sweet potatoes, while sometimes made this way, are generally made in a healthier manner. Either grilling, broiling, or baking sweet potato fries is common.
3. Taste and Appearance
Regular french fries are salty and savory and taste very similar to mashed potatoes. They are white in color when raw and turn to a golden yellow after they have been fried. Sweet potatoes fries have a sweet and starchy flavor similar to yams at thanksgiving. Sweet potatoes are a very bright orange color, this color is retained during the cooking process making for a fun and colorful side dish.