Are sweet potatoes a type of carrot? Understanding the nutritional diet differences

November 3, 2025 •

3 min read

Despite both being popular orange root vegetables, sweet potatoes and carrots belong to completely different botanical families. This fundamental difference is key to understanding the question, Are sweet potatoes a type of carrot?, and also explains their distinct nutritional profiles and culinary uses.

Quick Summary

Botanically distinct, sweet potatoes and carrots are both nutritious root vegetables that offer different health benefits. This article explores their contrasting nutritional values, including calorie density, fiber content, vitamin profiles, and glycemic impact, to inform better dietary choices.

Key Points

Botanical Separation: Sweet potatoes and carrots belong to entirely separate plant families, the morning glory and parsley families, respectively.
Nutrient Dominance: While both are excellent sources of beta-carotene, sweet potatoes provide more Vitamin C and Manganese, whereas carrots contain significantly more Vitamin K.
Calorie Density: Sweet potatoes are denser in calories and starch than carrots, providing more sustained energy per serving.
Glycemic Impact: The glycemic index of sweet potatoes is typically higher than that of carrots, which can affect blood sugar levels differently.
Culinary Versatility: Their different textures and sweetness levels make them suitable for diverse culinary applications, from creamy purees and roasts to crisp salads.
Fiber Content: Both are good sources of dietary fiber, supporting digestive health, though their total fiber and soluble/insoluble ratios vary slightly.

Botanical and scientific classification

Many people group sweet potatoes and carrots together because they are both orange root vegetables with a similar appearance and natural sweetness. However, from a botanical standpoint, they are unrelated. Carrots ($Daucus carota$) are part of the Apiaceae family, which also includes parsley and celery. Sweet potatoes ($Ipomoea batatas$), on the other hand, belong to the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae.

This familial separation is significant. Carrots are true taproots, growing a long, central root vertically into the soil. Sweet potatoes are tuberous roots, functioning as an enlarged storage organ for nutrients, which accounts for their starchy texture. This key difference in how they grow and store energy directly influences their texture, nutritional content, and how they affect the body.

Sweet potato vs. carrot: a nutritional breakdown

While both offer substantial health benefits, a closer look at their nutritional makeup reveals distinct differences, particularly concerning their carbohydrate and micronutrient content.

Comparison Table: Sweet Potato (cooked, 1 cup mashed) vs. Carrot (raw, 1 cup strips)


Nutrient	Sweet Potato (cooked, mashed)	Carrot (raw, strips)
Energy	90 kcal	50 kcal
Carbohydrates	20.71 g	11.69 g
Dietary Fiber	3.3 g	3.42 g
Sugars	8.44 g	5.54 g
Vitamin A (IU)	19,218 IU	20,509 IU
Vitamin C	19.6 mg	7.2 mg
Potassium	475 mg	390.4 mg
Manganese	0.5 mg	0.17 mg
Vitamin K	2.3 mcg	16.1 mcg

Health benefits and dietary considerations

Both vegetables are nutritional powerhouses, but their specific strengths cater to different dietary needs. Their orange color comes from beta-carotene, a potent antioxidant that the body converts into vitamin A, which is essential for vision and immune function.

Sweet potato highlights

Sweet potatoes are a calorie-dense, energy-rich food thanks to their high starch content. They provide sustained energy and are a staple food in many cultures. Here are some of their specific benefits:

Rich in Beta-Carotene: A single medium sweet potato can provide well over the daily recommended amount of vitamin A.
Excellent Source of Vitamin C and Manganese: These support immune health, metabolism, and bone health.
Good Source of Fiber: The fiber content aids in digestion and promotes a healthy gut microbiome.
Higher Glycemic Index: The glycemic index (GI) of sweet potatoes is higher than carrots, particularly when baked, which causes a faster rise in blood sugar.

Carrot highlights

Carrots are known for their crunch and lower calorie count, making them an excellent choice for a light snack or side dish. Their health benefits include:

Abundant in Vitamin K: This vitamin is crucial for blood clotting and bone health.
Rich in Phytonutrients: Carrots contain polyacetylenes, which are phytonutrients that have been shown to inhibit the growth of certain cells.
High in Fiber: The fiber in carrots aids in digestion and can help lower cholesterol.
Lower Glycemic Index: Raw carrots have a low GI, making them a favorable option for blood sugar management.

Culinary uses and dietary impact

The distinct textures and sweetness of sweet potatoes and carrots influence their best culinary applications. Their versatility, however, means they can often be used together or substituted with consideration for the final dish's texture and flavor profile.

Cooking with sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes become soft and creamy when cooked, making them ideal for:

Mashing and pureeing for soups, casseroles, or baby food.
Roasting into savory fries or wedges, often seasoned with spices like chili powder, cumin, or cinnamon.
Adding to baked goods, like bread or muffins, where their natural sweetness can reduce the need for added sugar.

Cooking with carrots

Carrots maintain more of their structural integrity when cooked, offering a crisp-tender bite that is suitable for:

Roasting with other root vegetables for a caramelized flavor.
Adding raw and shredded to salads for texture and sweetness.
Slicing and boiling for stews and side dishes.
Incorporating into baked goods like carrot cake, where they provide moisture and texture.

Conclusion

In summary, the next time you wonder, are sweet potatoes a type of carrot?, you can confidently explain the botanical and nutritional differences. While both are fantastic additions to a balanced diet, offering rich beta-carotene, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, they are not interchangeable species. Sweet potatoes offer a higher-calorie, starchier profile, while carrots provide a lower-calorie, crisper alternative, with variations in specific micronutrients like vitamin C, manganese, and vitamin K. By understanding these distinctions, you can make more informed choices to benefit your nutrition and overall diet.

Learn more about how to incorporate these and other nutritious vegetables into your diet in this guide from Healthline: Sweet Potatoes 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference lies in their botanical classification. Sweet potatoes are tuberous roots from the morning glory family, while carrots are taproots belonging to the parsley family, making them botanically unrelated.

Neither is definitively healthier; they simply offer different nutritional benefits. Sweet potatoes are richer in Vitamin C and Manganese, while carrots contain more Vitamin K. The "better" choice depends on your specific dietary needs.

The vibrant orange color in both vegetables comes from beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that the human body converts into Vitamin A. This is a shared characteristic despite their different botanical origins.

You can, but the result will differ. Sweet potatoes will provide a creamier texture and a more pronounced sweetness, which might not be suitable for all recipes, particularly those requiring a firmer vegetable.

Sweet potatoes generally have a higher glycemic index than carrots. Raw carrots have a low GI, while the GI of sweet potatoes can vary from medium to high, depending on the cooking method.

Both are excellent sources of fiber. A 1-cup serving of either provides a significant amount of dietary fiber, crucial for digestive health, though the total amount is similar.

Yes, sweet potatoes are more caloric than carrots. A 100g serving of sweet potato contains about 86 calories, whereas 100g of carrots contains only about 41 calories, primarily due to higher starch content in the sweet potato.