Sweet potatoes and Prediabetes

Question:   I was recently diagnosed with Pre-Diabetes and I’m trying to follow a low fat diet.  I have a question I hope that you can answer.  Are sweet potatoes considered a vegetable and are they ok to eat in my diet?

Answer:  Sweet potatoes are a starchy vegetable which means that they do not fall into the "free" category of other non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, carrots, cauliflower, and tomatoes;  however, this vegetable can still be included in a healthy diet for anyone with or without diabetes.  A 6 oz. sweet potato (approximately 4" in length) is low in fat, high in fiber, full of the antioxidant beta-carotene which gives the potato it's beautiful orange color, and contains about 30-40g carbohydrate.  A 6 oz. sweet potato along with ~3-4 oz. lean meat and a healthy portion of non-starchy veggies and/or salad would make a very healthy and tasty low-fat meal.    Sweet potatoes also tend to have a lower glycemic index that white baking potatoes which means they may not affect your blood sugars as much after a meal as a white potato.  So...enjoy!