White Potatoes Vs. Sweet Potatoes
White potatoes and sweet potatoes are root vegetables although they have similar names; they taste quite different from each other.
The part of the plant that is consumed grows beneath the soil. While the skin of both the potatoes is brown, the insides are different from each other.
White potatoes are whitish or yellowish on the inside while sweet potatoes have orange insides. The color of the skin can however differ, depending on its variety.
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a regimen of different exercises that involves different intense trainings of the body to develop the body’s different muscles through a combination of working out with weights to build different specific muscles, cardiology, and maintaining strict diets.
How is maintaining a diet important for bodybuilders?
Maintaining a diet is crucial for bodybuilders to maintain the body they want and to develop strength.
More than the average body needs for protein, they require more than average amounts of protein intake. More of the bodybuilders aim to consume, in a day, at least one gram of protein per pound of their body weight.
Why are potatoes good for bodybuilders?
Potatoes are considered to be a good source of carbohydrates, which is an essential source of energy for bodybuilders.
Sweet potatoes as well as white potatoes have high contents of fibre, vitamins like vitamin B6 and vitamin C, and also contains carbs.
White potatoes are said to have higher levels of potassium in them whereas sweet potatoes provide more vitamin A to the body. We can see that both the potatoes contain properties that bodybuilders need in their diet.
The two types of potatoes and how they work on bodybuilders
Given below are some of the benefits of including the two types of potatoes in the diet of bodybuilders.
Gram for gram:
A bodybuilder needs to consume huge amounts of calories in a day to fuel their energy. Potatoes therefore are considered to be a good way to get in your calories without fat or cholesterol.
Chock-full of Vitamins :
Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C are water-soluble vitamins that are naturally in different kinds of foods that we eat. They are also added to artificially made food or in supplements as well.
A medium-sized white potato which might weigh around 150 grams, when the skin is still intact is said to contain a large amount of both vitamins (VitB6 and VitC).
Vitamin C is said to provide energy to the body almost immediately, even boost someone’s immune system and uplift their mood.
The bodybuilder can get around about one-third of the required daily amount of Vitamin C by taking either white potato or sweet potato.
On the other hand, Vitamin B6 helps the chemical reactions in the immune system function in the body, which consequently compliments the work of Vitamin C.
Great source of potassium:
One of the most important minerals in the body is potassium and potatoes both sweet potatoes and white potatoes contain high levels of potassium, it is said that it contains more potassium than a banana.
When the skin of the sweet potato is roasted, it contains high levels of magnesium and potassium which helps to lower one’s blood pressure and regulate fluid balance in the body. It also helps with muscle contraction issues and nerve signals.
Rapid release of carbohydrates for energy:
Potatoes mainly contain starchy and complex carbs and with that, they also contain small quantities of simple sugars such as cellulose, glucose, and fructose.
As mentioned earlier, potatoes are a great source of carbohydrates which is a fundamental substance for bodybuilders.
Amino Acids : Amino Acids are building blocks of proteins and upon digestion, they form complete proteins. Potatoes are known to contain twenty-two essential amino acids, which as a result makes them an ideal healthy go-to snack for bodybuilders.
Nutrients: Nutrients such as copper, manganese, and tryptophan make one’s bones grow stronger.
Therefore, in the concept of bodybuilding, it helps the individual to get stronger and also sustain rigorous workouts.
Eating potatoes also provides your body with essential nutrients such as calcium, which helps build and also maintain the strength of the bones and their structure.
When is the ideal time to eat your pre-workout potato meal?
You should consume your pre-workout potato meal an hour before exercise.
Potatoes are one of the recommended pre-workout meals that you should consume an hour before your exercise to ensure that you are satisfied but not bloated.
If you haven’t consumed carbohydrates in several hours, your blood glucose level may decrease, making your workout feel much more difficult.
While potatoes contain the right elements as a diet for a bodybuilder, here are a few points that one needs to be aware of, if one plans to add potatoes to their daily dietary plan.
Potatoes have a High Glycemic index:
Glycemic Index is a measure of the increase in the level of blood glucose in the body which is a result of eating a particular carbohydrate as compared to consuming a standard amount of glucose.
Now when we say that potatoes have a higher glycemic index it implies that potatoes tend to break down quickly when they enter our body which as a result gives rapid fuel to the body.
If it is for a short term it would be beneficial, however, it might cause an individual to lose their energy fairly quickly, causing them to be hungry a few hours after ingestion.
Potatoes Lack Sufficient Protein To Help You Build Muscle:
Potatoes alone will not meet the required percentage of protein to help one build their muscle. One of the most important components required in muscle growth and function is sufficient protein intake.
It is required for the muscle fibers to recuperate and for post-workout recovery. According to some studies, it has been recommended 2.4 grams of protein to help one lose body weight faster and to enhance muscle building and functions.
Potatoes on the other hand contain about 4 grams of protein for 250 grams, which makes it a minor source of protein.
