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Journalism of Courage
Some Bollywood stars come from humble backgrounds, having endured years of struggle and hard work that paved the way for their current success and stardom. Sidharth Malhotra too has a similar story to share, one that includes living in shoebox apartments in Mumbai, knocking on production houses’ doors and numerous small gigs before landing Student of the Year almost a decade ago. While the actor is now a well-established name in the Hindi film industry, his lack of connections and family association with Bollywood made the start of his career fraught with difficulties. During a recent interview, he also revealed that he used to live on sweet potatoes before getting his big break.
Talking to Nayandeep Rakshit, the Param Sundari actor opened up about the early days. “We were struggling to make our careers, and we were also struggling to survive in Bombay. I realised there are so many weird reasons for which you can be denied a house in India. ‘Because you eat non-vegetarian food, you want to be an actor, because you belong to a particular community,'” he shared with the host, adding: “Main uss samay sweet potato khaata tha, sweet potato mera patent breakfast tha. Protein aur carb intake ke liye, Aur sasta tha bohot (I used to have sweet potato back then. Sweet potato was my patent breakfast. For protein and carb intake. And it used to be cheap).”
CV Aishwarya, a clinical nutritionist and lecturer at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, shared that sweet potato is rich in fibre, especially soluble fibre, which promotes a feeling of satiety and supports digestive health.
“A medium-sized sweet potato provides around 10–13% of the daily potassium requirement, helping to lower blood pressure, regulate nerve signals, and prevent muscle cramps. Regular consumption may also improve digestion, support healthy bowel movements, and positively influence mood through the gut-brain axis,” she told indianexpress.com.
Aishwarya further said that sweet potato tubers contain macronutrients such as starch, dietary fiber, and protein, in addition to an extensive range of micronutrients, including minerals (manganese, copper, potassium, and iron), vitamins (mainly B complex, C, and E), and provitamin A (as carotenoids), anthocyanins (purple sweet potatoes), flavonoids, and coumarins.
“Compared to other root and tuber crops, the sweet potato contains more carbohydrates and proteins, as well as certain vitamins and minerals, and it has higher levels of provitamin A, vitamin C, and minerals than wheat or rice,” she elaborated on why it is a great choice for a healthy breakfast.
Aishwarya said baking sweet potatoes enhances certain benefits. Notably, it increases beta-carotene availability, making it more readily absorbed by the body.
“During baking, the natural sugars caramelise, enhancing both taste and satisfaction. This appealing flavour and texture can encourage better adherence to healthy eating habits,” she explained, adding that baked sweet potatoes retain their dietary fibre, which supports gut motility, promotes satiety, and functions as a prebiotic, nourishing beneficial gut bacteria.
Consuming sweet potatoes is generally safe for most people, but there are a few exceptions and considerations based on individual health conditions. “Since sweet potatoes have a high glycemic index, they may cause a rapid rise in blood sugar. Therefore, caution is advised when offering them to individuals with diabetes. People with kidney disease should also consume them in moderation, as they are high in potassium, which can be harmful if the kidneys cannot excrete it efficiently,” said Aishwarya, adding that they are also rich in natural carbohydrates and may not be suitable for those following strict low-carb diets.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
