The Sweet Potato Dilemma~~

hehe so it isn't that big of a deal, but I have been very confused about the caloric content of sweet potatoes. I love them. I eat like 2 a day (each of them quite small in size), but when I look up their calories, it says, for instance, for "small" size, or "medium" size. And I don't know how large that is! And whether it's 6.3 oz or 2 oz doesn't help either. Also, they say a medium sweet potato is about 5" long, but they don't talk about the diameter/thickness of it, cuz it varies greatly. Can anyone help clear this up for me?? It's just that I kind of fear that I am underestimating my daily calories. Thanks!! :D

If you can afford to, invests in a digital scale. You can find them for around $25 USD. With the digital scale, you can always measure in grams or ounces - that eliminates guessing all together...

Good luck!

I second the digital scale suggestion.  I don't really know what else you can do, other than maybe petition the nutritional information folks to send you mock sweet potatoes in the appropriate sizes.

if you like sweet potatoes, try butternut squash.


I make them into french fries and can offer up the recipe.


They're SO good. 

^ hahaha okayy. sounds like a plan. i'll buy myself a scale :P

thank you both!

Many grocery stores have scales. So unless u grow the potatoe urself you can always weight them before you buy them.

Always go by weight, not Length.

hollyy crap!! i love sweet potatoes i eat them alllll the time! lol just thot id share that :)

Am I the only one who wants to hear oxymoron00's butternut squash recipe?

I love sweet potatos, too, so I'd love to hear this one (as long as they aren't fried!)

Ingredients:
1/2 butternut squash
kosher salt

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.  Peel and de-seed your butternut squash.  If you're unfamiliar with handling them, you may have a little trouble at first.  They're fairly easy to peel, but you'll need a sharp knife to cut them.  Once your orange friend is peeled and seed-free, slice it in half.  Then cut it up into french fry shapes.  We like to use a crinkle cutter to make authentic looking crinkle cut fries, but they'll work any way you slice 'em.  Place on a cookie sheet sprayed with non-stick spray.  Cover lightly with kosher salt (regular salt works, too, but we prefer kosher).  Place tray in your pre-heated oven and bake for 40 minutes or so, flipping halfway through baking process.  Fries are done when they are starting to brown on the edges and get crispy. Serve with ketchup, or however else you enjoy fries or sweet potato fries!



Nutritional Info:

Serving Size:  5 oz., uncooked
Calories:  65
Fat: 0g
Sodium:  486mg (includes salt)
Carbs:  16.5g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 3g
Protein: 1g


This is a Hungry Girl recipe - they're SOOO good!  I normally use half of a squash and eat most of the recipe.  I mean - it's like 150 calories for half of a medium squash - it's so amazing!

 

I will vouch for the butternut squash recipe!  It's so good!  I find myself confused about the size of a medium butternut squash too, though.  I like to buy smaller butternut squash and eat the entire thing for dinner :-D

 

Make sure youc ook them until they are crispy!  Much better than when they are a little soggy.  I find it helps to throw them under the broiler for a little towards the end.  Make sure to watch them so they don't burn if you do that!

a more accurate way to measure your sweet potato without a digital scale would be to cut it up into chunks and toss it in a measuring cup.

Original Post by katydid_007:

a more accurate way to measure your sweet potato without a digital scale would be to cut it up into chunks and toss it in a measuring cup.

 Actually, no, that's less accurate.  You can't use volume measures for solid foods.

I saw a 2 homegrown sweet potatoes the other day that weighed 17 lbs together!  Holy sweet potato!

I love them cooked in the microwave with a little vanilla and sugar free maple syrup and spray butter!  MMMM