Can I lose weight by switching rice with sweet potato? - VnExpress International (2024)

May 26, 2023 | 03:00 pm PT

I often eat boiled sweet potatoes instead of rice for daily meals because I think it’s a low-carb and easy-to-digest food. Is it healthy to eat like that long-term? (Mai, 27, Hanoi)

Answer:

Sweet potato is primarily composed of starch and a low amount of protein and minerals, containing 24.6% starch, 1.3% protein, 0.1% fat, vitamins B/C, and many minerals.

Because starch is often the cause of obesity, switching from rice to sweet potato to lose weight is unscientific. Combining this diet with a lack of exercise makes it easier to gain weight.

People with poor digestion will feel even more bloated if they eat too much sweet potatoes. Those with kidney diseases, which limits their body’s ability to remove waste materials, should also avoid sweet potatoes.

If you want to lose weight, it’s better to eat white sweet potato, instead of the ones with purple or yellow flesh. Be sure to steam or boil the tubers instead of using oil for cooking.

You can substitute some rice with sweet potatoes to lose weight, but rice should not be switched out entirely. Vegetables, fruits, and protein should still be consumed to maintain a balanced diet.

Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen DuyThinh

Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology

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Can I lose weight by switching rice with sweet potato? - VnExpress International (2024)

FAQs

Can I lose weight by switching rice with sweet potato? - VnExpress International? ›

Because starch is often the cause of obesity, switching from rice to sweet potato to lose weight is unscientific. Combining this diet with a lack of exercise makes it easier to gain weight. People with poor digestion will feel even more bloated if they eat too much sweet potatoes.

Can I eat potatoes instead of rice for weight loss? ›

And, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, both potatoes and rice can be helpful when you're trying to lose weight. Both have practically little to no fat, contain nutritional value and are relatively similar in calories.

Is sweet potato better than rice for diet? ›

Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin A, and they also provide fiber. White rice, on the other hand, is a good source of carbohydrates. If you're looking for a nutrient-dense option, mashed sweet potatoes might be considered healthier due to their higher vitamin and fiber content.

Why do Koreans eat sweet potatoes when dieting? ›

The Korean sweet potato is a very nutritious eating regimen that can effectively help you on most sorts of diets since they're so flexible thus easy to cook and eat. Besides keeping your gut happy, Korean sweet potatoes can reduce body inflammation which can thereby keep you healthy.

What are the benefits of sweet potato over rice? ›

Sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while providing a lower glycemic index than rice. Sweet potatoes contain 60% ~ 80% moisture, 10% ~ 30% starch, 5% sugar, and a small amount of protein, cellulose, pectin, etc .; rice contains about 75% carbohydrates, 7% Protein, 1.3% -1.

Can I replace rice with sweet potatoes? ›

You can substitute some rice with sweet potatoes to lose weight, but rice should not be switched out entirely. Vegetables, fruits, and protein should still be consumed to maintain a balanced diet.

Is quitting rice good for weight loss? ›

A month without rice can aid in weight loss and blood sugar stabilization because it is high in carbohydrates, according to Priya Parma, head of the nutrition division at the Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in India.

Will you lose weight if you eat sweet potatoes everyday? ›

Absolutely. Besides their health benefits, sweet potatoes are a great addition to any weight loss diet. First up, they're very high in fibre — especially soluble fibre. Soluble fibre is excellent because it slows down your digestion and helps you feel full, which can curb the urge to snack between meals.

What to eat instead of rice to lose weight? ›

  • Rice substitutes. Share on Pinterest Aisland/Getty Images. ...
  • Barley. Barley is a popular grain that people can purchase as whole grain, pearled, flakes, or flour versions. ...
  • Quinoa. Quinoa is an edible seed that people consume as a grain. ...
  • Riced cauliflower. ...
  • Riced broccoli. ...
  • Shredded cabbage. ...
  • Shirataki konjac rice. ...
  • Couscous.
Apr 28, 2021

What are the best carbs for weight loss? ›

What are some of the best sources of healthy carbs? Romito suggests these foods: Whole grains: Farro, quinoa, whole-grain breads and pastas, bulgar wheat, and brown or wild rice. Starchy vegetables: Potatoes (preferably with the skin), green peas, corn and winter squash like butternut or spaghetti squash.

Does sweet potato reduce belly fat? ›

While sweet potatoes can be part of a healthy diet for weight management, there is no specific food that targets belly fat reduction. Spot reduction of fat in a particular area, such as the belly, is not possible.

What happens to your body when you eat sweet potatoes everyday? ›

If you enjoy sweet potatoes, you can absolutely enjoy them daily. However, eating multiple sweet potatoes every day could cause a harmless condition called carotenodermia, where your skin turns yellow-orange. You may also want to be cautious about your sweet potato intake if you have a history of kidney stones.

How do kpop idols lose weight so fast? ›

The K-pop diet is all about cutting down on fried, oily and fat-loaded foods. It focuses on foods that are rich in protein and other essential nutrients. While red meat is one of the staples in Korean cuisines, chicken and seafood are the preferred source of protein in the country.

Is sweet potato a better carb than rice? ›

They are both great sources of complex carbohydrates. Per 100 grams raw brown rice has almost 3 times the calories and 4 times the carbohydrate value or 100 grams of raw sweet potato. They have almost the same amount of dietary fiber (both high) but brown rice has five times more protein.

Can I eat rice and potatoes everyday? ›

These two foods are high in carbs but are researched to provide enough carbs for the body to consume each day. If you are on a diet, you can still use them without worrying about excess. You can use a combination of eating both potatoes and rice in the menu every day.

What does sweet potato do to your gut? ›

Gastrointestinal Health

Along with anti-inflammatory properties, sweet potatoes have plenty of gut-friendly fiber, especially if you eat the skin. They are a mixture of soluble fiber, which can lower cholesterol and balance glucose, and insoluble fiber, which helps keep your bowels healthy and regular.

Is it okay to eat potatoes when trying to lose weight? ›

Riley Kusuma, accredited practising dietitian at Bupa, agrees that potatoes are a great inclusion to a balanced and healthy diet, and can help you reach your weight loss goals. “Potatoes rate very highly on the satiety index, which means they keep you fuller and satisfied for longer after eating,” says Kusuma.

Does not eating rice reduce belly fat? ›

"Eating refined carbs like bread, rice, pasta and cookies [in excess] will increase our belly fat. If we want to lose it, we should focus on eating nutrient- and fiber-rich carbs such as vegetables and low-glycemic fruits," says Djordjevic.

How do I substitute rice and potatoes? ›

Healthy low-carb alternatives
  1. Low-carb rice alternative: Cauliflower or broccoli rice. ...
  2. Low-carb potato alternative: Sweet potato. ...
  3. Low-carb pasta alternative: Courgetti. ...
  4. Low-carb noodle alternative: Carrot and courgette noodles. ...
  5. Low-carb crisps alternative: Baked aubergine crisps. ...
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