Sweet potatoes are a tasty alternative to regular baked potatoes and french fries, and the same is true when it comes to potato chips. You'll get a sweeter, rich flavor that lends itself to specific flavorings, such as cinnamon or cayenne powder, as well as cranberry sauce and blue cheese dips. Many grocery stores sell this snack, but you can also make your own either by deep-frying sweet potatoes in oil or baking them in the oven.
Basic Nutrition
A 1-oz. serving of sweet potato chips contains 100 calories, a good amount for snacking -- it provides a small boost of energy along with other nutrients. While the 4.8 g of fat in each serving of these chips may seem relatively low, 43 percent of the calories are from fat. You can lower the fat by purchasing baked varieties. Even though a considerable number of calories come from fat, little of it is from saturated fat, the type of fat that may clog arteries. A serving of sweet potato chips provides 13.2 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of fiber, but only trace amounts of protein: 0.7 g.
Vitamins
Including sweet potato chips in your diet gives you a boost in your vitamin A intake; each serving has 55 percent of the daily recommended intake. The vitamin A in sweet potato chips is great for your eyes, helping to decrease your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and night blindness. This type of chip also provides small amounts of vitamin C, which boosts collagen production to improve the quality of your skin.
Minerals
The mineral content in sweet potato chips is rather low. Each serving provides 2 percent of the iron your body requires daily. Iron contributes to the formation of red blood cells, so eating this snack improves oxygenation of your bloodstream as a result. You also take in a small amount of calcium in each serving of chips, which maintains the strength of your skeleton.
Benefits
If you suffer from Crohn's disease, a medical condition that impacts your bowels, you may benefit from eating sweet potato chips. Research published in the August 2010 issue of the journal "Mutation Research" notes that sweet potatoes may ease symptoms associated with Crohn's, although not everyone who has Crohn's reacts to foods in the same way. Consume baked chips to avoid the extra oil in your diet, and discontinue including them in your diet if your symptoms worsen.
References
- Fitbit.com; sweet potato chips
- The Diet Channel; Calories: What's an Ideal Daily Intake?; Michèle Turcotte
- MayoClinic.com; Healthy Diet: End the Guesswork With These Nutrition Guidelines; February 2011
- MedlinePlus; Vitamin A; Linda Vorvick, et al.; Mar. 7, 2009
- All About Vision; Vitamin A and Beta Carotene: Eye Benefits; Gary Heiting; October 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin C
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