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"We'll admit it -- we sometimes treat ourselves to sweet potato fries at our favorites restaurants, rationalizing that they're [\\\"](/health)[healthier](/health)[\\\"](/health) than regular fries.\\n\\n\\n\\nBut are they?\\n\\n\\n\\nWith more and more restaurants offering sweet potatoes -- especially in the form of fries, according to market research firm Technomic Inc. -- we asked Patricia Bannan, MS, RD, author of *Eat Right When Time is Tight*, what we should really be dipping in our ketchup.\\n\\n\\n\\n[Bonus: Sweet Potato Fries, the Healthy Way!](/fooddiet/blogs/eatlikeme/2011/09/recipe-southern-sweet-and-spic)\\n\\n[#image: /photos/57d8dd0150778cef321a683c]||||||\\n\\n\\\"Sweet potatoes have many redeeming qualities: they are a great source of vitamin A, are full of fiber (especially if you leave on the skin) and are inexpensive and easy to prepare,\\\" Bannan says. \\\"As criticism mounts against the traditional white potato -- too starchy, lacking in vitamins -- sweet potatoes are emerging as a viable replacement.\\\"\\n\\n\\n\\nBut health benefits aside, sweet potato fries are still ... French fries.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\\"In reality, sweet potatoes are not lower in calories than white potatoes, and this holds true for their fried versions. Sweet potatoes are relatively high in sugars: ounce for ounce, about five times as much [sugar](/health/2011/07/truth-about-sugar-slideshow) compared to the traditional potato. And fries are typically a savory dish, so restaurants are likely to balance out the sweetness with large amounts of salt. One teaspoon of salt has over 2,000 mg of sodium, so even an extra couple of shakes at the table are likely to send you over your daily salt allotment with one side dish!\\\" she adds.\\n\\n\\n\\nBut there is a healthy way to get your fry fix. Baking fries at home will give you a similar look and texture without the deep-frying and sodium found in restaurant kitchens, Bannan says. To help you absorb the vitamin A, you actually should eat your sweet potatoes with a few grams of fat. Consider tossing them in two teaspoons of olive oil with chopped cilantro, or dipping them in a low-fat lemon juice and yogurt mixture.\\n\\n\\n\\n*--Amy Paturel contributed to this report.*\\n\\n\\n\\nRelated Links:\\n\\n\\n\\n[The Truth About Sugar](/health/2011/07/truth-about-sugar-slideshow)\\n\\n\\n\\n[Lose 8 Pounds in 1 Month](/goal)\\n\\n[Guilt-Free Burger Recipes](/fooddiet/2011/09/guilt-free-burgers-slideshow)\\n\\n\\n\\n--\\n\\n For daily diet tips follow SELF on [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/selfmagazine) and [Twitter](http://www.twitter.com/selfmagazine).   \\n  \\nGet SELF on your [iPad](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id421088847)!"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.self.com/story/sweet-potato-fries-not-as-slim>