Today I am sharing nine reasons why you should eat more sweet potatoes. People often confuse this healthy vegetable with other veggies like yams. However, they’ve been around for many centuries. Sweet potatoes can be traced back to prehistoric Peru and Ecuador, while yams only date back to 50 000 years BC and are native to Asia and West Africa. If you are curious about the various health benefits of sweet potatoes, keep reading to find out more.
9 Reasons Why You Should Eat More Sweet Potatoes
Beta-Carotene
The deep-orange variety is packed with beta-carotene and antioxidants that combat illnesses like eye disease and certain cancers.
Fibre
If you are on a weight loss journey, it’s essential to invest in fibre-rich foods like sweet potatoes. For a heart and satisfying meal, you can leave the skin on and bake them in the oven. You can also enjoy them roasted, mashed, as a tasty side dish, or chopped in a savoury stew.
Minerals and Vitamins
Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin C which boosts your immune system. They also contain calcium for bone health and potassium that helps regulate blood pressure levels.
Antioxidants
Only some sweet potato varieties are orange. The flesh and skin can be yellow, red, white, purple, or brown. Every colour variety comes with its own set of nutrients. The purple-flesh ones contain plenty of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant components. When these agents pass through your body, they help to keep free radicals at bay that are harmful to cell health.
Iron
Sweet potatoes are an excellent iron source which is why they are a staple for vegans and vegetarians alike. Meat contains heme iron which is easily absorbed in the body as opposed to non-heme iron which is found in nuts, fruits, and veggies. However, vitamin C-rich foods like sweet potatoes absorb non-heme iron more efficiently.
Cancer-Combatting Components
Scientists found that sweet potatoes contain a unique protein referred to as protease inhibitors. When tested, they found that it seems to slow down the growth of cancer cells.
High Blood Sugar
White potatoes that you usually enjoy as French fries or baked have a high ranking on the glycemic index – a measurement that shows how quickly foods influence blood sugar levels. Sweet potatoes have a lower ranking and contain more fibre per serving. This is useful for slowing digestion and keeping you fuller for longer.
Vitamin A
A single sweet potato that is baked can provide your body with as much as 400% vitamin A which is necessary for skin and eye health, and protection against illness.
Readily Available
Many people enjoy sweet potatoes during popular holidays like Thanksgiving as an ingredient in pies and casseroles. However, why restrict them to only those months when you can enjoy them most of the time? Most supermarkets carry stock of canned or raw sweet potatoes throughout the year.
Be Mindful of How You Cook Your Sweet Potato
The way sweet potatoes are prepared and cooked plays a significant role in the nutrition you can get from a meal. Oven baking is one of the easiest methods and it remains the best way to get as many nutrients from a sweet potato.
Final Thoughts
I hope you have found this post about nine reasons why you should eat more sweet potatoes insightful and that you will consider including this tasty veg more often in your meal plan.
Sending you lots of love, light, and nutritional vibes!
Anthea