Skip to main content

User account menu

  • WHATCOM FAMILY YMCA
  • 360 733 8630

OpenY Google Translate (mobile)

Select Language

Main navigation (mobile)

  • Join
    • Choose the membership that fits you
    • Membership Information
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Specialty Memberships
    • Your Account
    • Kick Start Your Membership
  • Programs
    • Aquatics
    • Camps
    • Child Care & Teens
    • Community
    • Health & Fitness
    • Sports & Recreation
  • Schedules
    • Schedules
    • Virtual Activities
  • YMCA360
  • Our Locations
  • Support The Y
    • Annual Support Campaign
    • Ways To Give
    • Volunteer
    • Donate Today!
  • Events
    • Healthy Kids Day
    • Teen Night Takeover
    • Girls on the Run 5k
    • Birthday Parties

User account menu

  • WHATCOM FAMILY YMCA
  • 360 733 8630
Select Language

Main navigation

  • Join
    • Choose the membership that fits you
    • Membership Information
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Specialty Memberships
    • Your Account
    • Kick Start Your Membership
  • Programs
    • Aquatics
      • Swim Lessons
      • Safety Around Water
      • WYD Swim Team
      • Community Lifeguard/CPR/First Aid Safety Trainings
      • Master Swim Program
    • Camps
      • Adventure Camp
      • Back to School Camp
      • Challengers Camp
      • Climbing
      • Girls on the Run
      • Trail Blazers
      • Youth Sports
    • Child Care & Teens
      • Kids Zone (Child Watch)
      • Before and After School
      • Early Learning
      • Teen Programs
      • Birthday Parties
    • Community
      • About the YMCA
      • AOA Healthy Aging Community Cafe
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Employment Opportunities
      • Volunteer
      • Community Lifeguard/CPR/First Aid Safety Trainings
    • Health & Fitness
      • Active Older Adults
      • Better Bones and Balance
      • Blood Pressure Program
      • Diabetes Prevention
      • Health and Life Coaching
      • LIVESTRONG
      • Pedaling for Parkinson's
      • Personal Training
      • Rock Steady Boxing
      • Teen Strength
      • Urban Poling
      • Virtual Fitness Program
      • Wellness Center
      • Yoga for Healing
    • Sports & Recreation
      • Flag Football
      • Baseball/TeeBall
      • Basketball
      • Climbing Programs
      • Girls on the Run
      • Ninja Gym
      • Trail Blazers
      • Girls on Wheels 
      • Soccer
      • Adult Pickleball
  • Schedules
    • Schedules
      • Aquatics
      • Climbing Wall
      • Court Reservations
      • Group Fitness
      • Kids Zone
      • Gymnasium
      • Ninja Gym Hours
    • Virtual Activities
      • Virtual Group Fitness
      • Virtual Family Fun
  • YMCA360
  • Our Locations
  • Support The Y
    • Annual Support Campaign
    • Ways To Give
    • Volunteer
    • Donate Today!
  • Events
    • Healthy Kids Day
    • Teen Night Takeover
    • Girls on the Run 5k
    • Birthday Parties

Fun Fall Fact For Sweet Potatoes

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. BLOG
  3. Fun Fall Fact For Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potato

Sweet Potatoes vs Yams: Is There a Difference?
 

I’d like to start this blog by saying I absolutely LOVE Fall. Crisp autumn leaves full of beautiful and changing colors, chilly walks, warm apple crisp, upcoming holidays and gatherings - it doesn’t get much better than this! What a wonderful time of year! From the outdoors to the kitchen, everyday seems to present a new array of colors.
 

I love how the outdoor colors also match fall foods made in the kitchen. One of my personal favorites is sweet potatoes. From sweet to savory, a variety of recipes await to be made this season. This may have you asking the questions: “Do you mean sweet potatoes or yams? Is there a difference?”
 

I personally find this to be one of my favorite food discrepancy questions to nerd out on. One reason I find it interesting is because I realized years back I had it wrong. Long story short (if you don’t already know): sweet potatoes, not yams, are what we primarily find here in the States. If you find a true yam, it is likely among the produce stands at an international market.
 

The term “yam” actually originates from Africa. A true yam, or “nyami”, is mostly produced and eaten in Africa and Asia. Producers in America needed a term to distinguish between the two primary types of sweet potatoes, hence “yam” stuck with the orange flesh sweet potato. The gold skin with light yellow flesh is less sweet and referred to as the sweet potato.
 

A true yam is different in the way that it is much more starchy and dry. Oddly enough, the skin color also happens to resemble more of a sweet potato and not what we refer to as yams. Another key difference is a true yam can grow much larger than a sweet potato. Some can grow up to 5 feet in length! 
 

So what can we make this holiday season with the different versions of sweet potatoes? One of my favorites is to roast sweet potatoes and beets together. The color is vibrant, and beets add another fall favorite full of nutrition. Other fun ways include sweet potato nachos with black beans, red onion, and white cheddar cheese (kids often enjoy this one too !). My personal favorite touch is to add fresh rosemary on top. The sweet potatoes can be sliced and baked soft for more of a casserole style dish, or baked crispy for more of a true nacho crunch. Stuffed sweet potatoes are another way to be creative as there are many options for filling ideas. For something on the sweeter side, simply boil, mash, and add a little olive oil, cinnamon, and a dash of salt to bring out the true sweet of the sweet potato.

And finally, why sweet potatoes? What is the nutrition benefit? Where do I even begin...sweet potatoes are full of antioxidants, fiber, and potassium, just to name a few. Antioxidants are key for our immune systems to help keep us from getting sick. Fiber helps maintain blood sugar and proper gut health. Potassium works with water and salt to balance hydration in our body as well as help with muscle and nerve function. Leave the skin on the potatoes to ensure you get the most bang for your buck, just be sure to wash them well first!
 

Happy Fall! 

Michelle B Smith, MS RDN CD
CEO, Sensibly Sprouted

Previous story
A Dietitian's Key Steps to Achieve your Health Goals
Next story
Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids
Locations: Bellingham YMCA Location
Category: Healthy Eating

Our nutrition and education blogs are provide by Sensibly Sprouted. For more information on this or any other nutritional needs you may have, please contact:

Michelle Smith, RDN, CD

Call 360-739-1278 or click the green button below to visit their website.

Sensibly Sprouted logo

 

 
Sensibly Sprouted

© 2025 Whatcom Family YMCA

The YMCA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit social services organization dedicated to Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.

Provided by: OneEach Technologies

Terms of use & Privacy Policy

Bellingham YMCA 360 733 8630
Mon - Fri: 5:30am-9pm
Saturday: 7:00am-4:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Millworks Early Learning Center 360 733 8832
Barkley Early Learning Center 360 714 0450
Heart House Early Learning Center 360 255 7242

TTY/TDD users dial 1-800-833-6384

Footer menu left

  • Join
  • Financial Assistance
  • Give
  • Volunteer
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Staff log in
  • Facebook

  • Youtube

Footer menu center

  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Reporting
  • My Account
  • Youth Guidelines
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Refund Policy

Footer menu right

  • About
  • Community Resources
  • Board of Directors
  • Corporate Partners
  • Press Room
  • Staff