Sweet potatoes are known to many as the sweeter version of a plain potato and a staple during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although potatoes generally have a bad reputation, the sweet potato is a surprisingly versatile year-round food. sweet potatoes recipe
Yes, potatoes contain starch and other carbohydrates, but this isn’t always a bad thing. Starch is the main type of carbohydrate in your body, and carbohydrates are one of the macronutrients the body uses as a major source of energy.
For many who are plant-based, sweet potatoes are used in a variety of delicious and flavorful meals. Sweet potatoes are eaten as stand-alone dishes as well as fusion meals like curry, or Mexican. Sweet potatoes are nutrient-dense. This means they are relatively low in calories and high in nutrients; therefore, they are nutritious and delicious.
Here are three things you didn’t know about sweet potatoes:
Sweet Potatoes Support Digestive Health and Weight Loss
Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber. Fiber is important for digestive health because it helps keep the body regular and maintain healthy bowel movements. A diet low in fiber can be linked to constipation and serious diseases like colon cancer. While fiber moves slowly through the digestive tract, it promotes fullness, helping curb cravings and eventually aiding weight loss.
Q&A: Can I Still Eat Sweet Potatoes On My Diet?
Sweet potatoes are high in vitamins A and C and are rich in antioxidants, which help to maintain a healthy immune system. The immune system helps protect our body from illness and infections. A poor immune system leaves the body open to many diseases, including cancer.
The fiber content in sweet potatoes helps to prevent heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol levels. The potassium in sweet potatoes helps maintain healthy blood pressure by balancing sodium levels in the body.
How can you add sweet potatoes to your everyday diet? Try them as chips, pasta, fries, mashed, baked, roasted, or stuffed. The possibilities are endless. Here is a quick and easy recipe from the book EAT J.U.N.K. that you can try right now.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes
- Brussels sprouts
- Olive Oil (1 tablespoon)
- Seasonings of choice (I use rosemary, Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute, Umami)
- Mushroom Seasoning, Garlic Salt, and Onion Salt)
RELATED: Yams Vs. Sweet Potatoes: Yes, There Is A Difference
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Rinse, slice, and chop sweet potatoes, then add to a large bowl and use a paper towel to lightly dry. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and thoroughly massage (add more oil if needed).
Add the seasoning and continue massaging thoroughly until the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts are evenly coated.
Place the vegetables on a baking sheet and put it in the oven, uncovered. Let cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. If the vegetables are not soft enough after 20 minutes, continue roasting for another 5-7 minutes.
Once finished, enjoy alone or over a bowl of quinoa with a side of hummus.
Elissa Mirsky, known to most as Elle, is a published author and former editor-in-chief of Bold Magazine. She believes food shouldn’t be boring and every meal should be fashionably edible. Follow her on Instagram @mylifebeingelle where she is documenting her journey to eat well, live life, and love self.