Healthy Eating Can Be Sweet!
Sweet potatoes are incredibly healthy and versatile. There are many great ways to include this super tuber to your diet. Unlike many other health foods, sweet potatoes have a great taste and texture. We advise you to take advantage of this gift from nature during your health journey.
So, you may be wondering, what's so great about sweet potatoes anyways? Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta carotene, vitamin C, and potassium. The most abundant vitamins and minerals in this tuber are:
- Pro-vitamin A. Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene, which your body can convert into vitamin A. Just 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of this vegetable provides the recommended daily amount of this vitamin.
- Vitamin C. Known to promote immune health and improve the condition of your skin.
- Potassium. Essential for blood pressure control, this mineral may decrease your risk of heart disease.
- Manganese. This trace mineral is vital for growth, development, and metabolism.
- Vitamin B6. This vitamin plays an essential role in the conversion of food into energy.
- Vitamin E. This powerful fat-soluble antioxidant may help protect your body against oxidative damage.
Sweet potatoes are likely healthier than regular potatoes. They have a lower GI, more fiber, and large amounts of beta carotene.
With such a versatile flavor, sweet potatoes can be used in savory and sweet dishes, and enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
For breakfast or lunch, you can make toast out of sweet potatoes. Here are the instructions:
First, choose the largest sweet potatoes you can find at the store. Slice them lengthwise into 1/4-1/3 inch slices. If the slices are too thin, they won't hold toast shape, and if they are too thick, they won't cook fast enough in the toaster.
Next, put the slices into a traditional toaster, toaster oven, or even a regular oven. Toast until they are fork-tender but not soft and allow the sweet potatoes to cool off slightly on a wire rack.
Once the slices are cooled, add toppings!
Here are some suggested toppings:
- Avocado slices with hemp seeds and oregano
- Fried egg with fresh chopped parsley
- Ricotta cheese with raspberries, coconut, and honey
- Peanut butter with banana slices, pecans, and maple syrup
- Cream cheese with strawberry jam, blueberries and chia seeds
Here are some other ways you can eat sweet potatoes for breakfast:
- In pancakes: we love this sweet potato pancake recipe because it is packed with whole oats, a bit of almond milk, an egg, some pecans, and cinnamon.
- In a smoothie: this sweet potato smoothie tastes like pumpkin pie in a glass!
- As a breakfast hash: try this breakfast hash featuring red bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and spicy cayenne!
- Roasted with eggs: combine eggs, kale, and roasted sweet potatoes for a perfectly balanced breakfast! Try this recipe.
- In a scone: there's nothing better than a healthy scone. Try this sweet potato scone recipe that includes chocolate chunks!
For a sweet potato snack, try these:
- Sweet potato hummus: this hummus mixes up traditional chickpea-tahini-olive oil mix by adding garlic, sweet potato, siracha, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
- Sweet potato cracker: skip the goldfish, try these sweet potato crackers instead.
Finally, the perfect sweet potato entrees:
- Dress up a roasted sweet potato with kale and ricotta. Here's the recipe.
- Craving pizza? Try these easy grilled sweet potato pizzas!
- Vegan sweet potato tacos are sure to be a family favorite!
