Eating healthy never tasted to sweet. Sweet potatoes are not only a natural sweet tooth satisfier, but they are also one of the foods that are the healthiest for you. These pleasant potatoes have many unique and nutritious benefits to offer us.
Sweet potatoes aren’t just a way to treat ourselves with a tasty snack (which we’ll get into later), they can be used to heal, prevent, and repair health issues that people suffer from every day. There is a wide spectrum of nutrients in these tubers, that cover multiple categories; among these are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory nutrients, and blood sugar regulators.
Antioxidants
Not only are sweet potatoes beautiful to look at, but the beautiful color provides us with a wealth of antioxidants. The pigmentation of sweet potatoes, both the orange and purple varieties, is caused by antioxidant compounds found naturally in the flesh of the potatoes.
Unlike most other foods packed with antioxidants, sweet potatoes concentration is in the flesh and not the skin. These antioxidants work to help the body remove heavy metals naturally, as well as fight free radicals in the body that are attributed to the formation of cancer.
Anti-Inflammatory Nutrients
The same compounds that give sweet potatoes their vibrant color also contributes to its anti-inflammatory properties. The phytonutrients in sweet potatoes works to counteract the inflammatory effects of certain compounds that form in the body. Studies have also found that inflammation in the brain and nervous tissue decreases upon consuming sweet potato.
These phytonutrients also work to protect from inflammation due to an excess of fibrinogen in the body. Fibrinogen is required for proper blood clotting and important for good health, but an imbalance of this can lead to health problems like multiple sclerosis from inflammation. Sweet potato works to reduce inflammation while reducing fibrinogen levels at the same time.
Blood Sugar Regulation
While starchy foods have been known to raise blood sugar levels in people, sweet potato has actually been found to help control blood sugar.The 6.6g of fiber in these tubers help slow down digestion and this in turn helps to regulate sugars in the digestive tract.
Sweet potatoes also raises adiponectin levels in the blood. Adiponectin is a protein hormone that is produced by our fat cells. It works as an important modifier of insulin metabolism. This is especially important with people who suffer from type 2 diabetes.
Sweet Potato Recipes
Sweet potatoes offer us so many ways to protect and heal our bodies, and there are just as many ways that they can be enjoyed. Here is a list of our favorite ways to prepare these powerful potatoes.
Oven Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
A healthy spin on fries, and an instant classic.
Curried Carrots, Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup
This soup is one delicious, and nutritious mouthful!
Barbecuing something always makes it taste better and these fries are no exception.
Oven Roasted Sweet Potato Chips
We all love a good potato chip, but how about a good healthy potato chip? It goes great with aioli.
Chicken Breast with Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
This delicious dinner can be made in just 30 minutes for a nutritious dinner in a pinch.
The ultimate side dish to any meal that is delicious enough to stand on its own.
This salad is perfect accompaniment to a meal, or perfect on its own.
Sweet Potato Burger With Avocado
This burger is so delicious, you won’t even miss the meat.
These little morsels are delicious and great for your heart,
Curried Lentils with Sweet Potato and Swiss Chard
With the holidays coming up, try putting an exotic spin on a holiday staple.
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos
Maybe not traditional, but still just as delicious as the original.
This tasty treat works great over some couscous or in a lettuce wrap with all the fixings!
Fill your house with the warm aroma of fresh baked goods, perfect for the fall.
Sweet Potato and Spinach Quesadillas
The perfect lunch that can be made in less time than you might think.
This Asian inspired dish will warm you up as the weather gets cooler.
This classic Southern dish gets a health kick but it’s still as comforting as the original
Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, and Leek Soup
These Autumn staples are a match made in sweater weather heaven
Sweet Potato with Kale and Chorizo Stew
One of our favorites, this stew is delicious and hearty, but not heavy.
Sweet Potato and Chickpea Soup
This soup is packed with protein and antioxidants to refuel and heal your body.
Finally, a twist on an all time classic. This is our absolute favorite and we’re sure it’ll be yours too.
Use more sweet potato in your dishes and you’ll see why we’re so crazy about it. Nutritious never tasted so delicious.
