Sweet Potatoes and Yams

Question
Dear Sir or Madam,
I love sweet potatoes. The ones I ate in the USA were orange on the inside. However, the ones in France are ivory-colored on the inside. Are the ones in France sweet potatoes or yams, please? Also, what are the nutritional contents of sweet potatoes, yams, and plantains?
Thank you for your time and expertise.
Rochelle :)

Answer
Hi Rochelle,

Yams and sweet potatoes are two very different vegetables. What you ate in the US are one variety of sweet potato, the one in France is another variety of sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are actually the tuber of a flower in the same family as a marigold. True yams come from a family of tubers that can be of enormous size and are sometimes known as name or yellow name and are generally found in South America.

Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene (vitamin A), and fiber, and also are a decent source of calcium.

Plantains are a good source of potassium, fiber and contain a decent amount of magnesium and selenium as well as some vitamin A.

Both of these foods contain other nutrients as well but the ones listed are notable.

Thank you,
Dan Haley, CNC

www.marketamerica.com/alkalinenutrition

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