Do Purple Sweet Potatoes Help Toddlers Poop?

If you’ve heard that purple sweet potatoes might help with toddler constipation, you heard right. Sweet potatoes are one of the most toddler-friendly constipation remedies, and purple sweet potatoes are no exception. In fact, they may offer extra benefits thanks to their unique combination of fiber, resistant starch, and antioxidants.

Here’s what the research and nutrition science say about whether purple sweet potatoes help toddlers poop and how to serve them in a gut-friendly way.

Why Purple Sweet Potatoes Support Digestion

1. High in Gut-Friendly Fiber

Like orange sweet potatoes, purple sweet potatoes contain bothsoluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps soften stool by drawing in water, while insoluble fiber adds bulk to help move poop through the colon (1).

2. Rich in Resistant Starch

When cooked and cooled, sweet potatoes form resistant starch, a special type of carbohydrate that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. This acts like a prebiotic, helping produce short-chain fatty acids that support gut motility and stool softness (2).

3. Unique Gut-Protective Antioxidants

The deep purple color comes fromanthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that may help reduce gut inflammation and support overall digestive health (3).

Is There Research on Sweet Potatoes and Constipation?

While there are no studies specifically onpurple sweet potatoes for toddler constipation, research on sweet potatoes in general shows that:

• Sweet potato intake improves stool frequency and stool consistency in adults with constipation (4).

• The fiber types in sweet potatoes, combined with resistant starch, promote gut motility and microbiome diversity.

The same fiber mechanisms apply to toddlers, though research in children is limited.

How to Serve Purple Sweet Potatoes for Digestion

• Mashed: Steam or bake, then mash with olive oil for added gut-friendly fat.

• Roasted cubes: Serve as finger food with the skin on for extra fiber.

• Cooked and cooled: Chill roasted cubes to boost resistant starch.

• Add prebiotics: Stir in a scoop ofGrowing Up Prebiotics for a double gut health boost.

Pair It for Best Results

For even better digestive support, serve purple sweet potatoes alongside:

• Water or hydrating foods like cucumbers or oranges

• Other fiber-rich options like beans, berries, or whole grains

• Healthy fats like avocado or olive oil, which help soften stool

Summary

Yes, purple sweet potatoes can absolutely help toddlers poop thanks to their mix of soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, and resistant starch. Plus, their beautiful color packs gut-friendly antioxidants that support digestive health long-term. Paired with hydration and daily prebiotics, they’re a delicious, toddler-approved tool for smoother digestion.