Sweet Potato Power
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“What’s so healthy about sweet potatoes?” I’ve got the top 9 reasons to make these tasty yams apart of your diet.
1. Sweet potatoes are high in antioxidants, which work in the body to prevent inflammatory problems like asthma, arthritis, gout, and many more.
2. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of carbohydrates for those with blood sugar problems. These fibrous root vegetables can help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent conditions like insulin resistance.
3. Sweet potatoes are healthy for the digestive tract. Being rich in digestive fiber, especially when the skin is also consumed, it helps to relieve constipation and may prevent colon cancer.
4. Sweet potatoes are good for those who are pregnant or trying to conceive because they are high in folate, which is essential for the healthy development of fetal cell and tissue.
5. Packed with important vitamins and other nutrients, eating sweet potatoes can boost immunity by supporting the needs of the body.
6. Sweet potatoes are good for preventing heart disease. High in potassium, sweet potatoes can help prevent the onset of heart attack and stroke. Potassium also helps to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, which is important for stabilizing blood pressure and regulating heart function.
7. Sweet potatoes are good for alleviating muscle cramps. Potassium deficiencies are a leading cause of muscle cramps, as well injuries. By making sweet potatoes a regular part of your diet (along with proper exercise), you can expect an energy boost and fewer muscle cramps and injuries.
8. Sweet potatoes are good for treating stress-related symptoms. The body tends to use a lot of potassium and other important minerals when it is under stress. Sweet potatoes provide important minerals that will help maintain balance throughout the body during times of stress.
9. Sweet potatoes ranked number one in nutrition out of all vegetables by the Center for Science in the Public Interest because they are such a rich source of dietary fiber, natural sugars, complex carbohydrates, protein, carotenoids, vitamin C, iron and calcium.
Tasty Ways to Eat Sweet Potatoes
1. Make sweet potato fries. Who doesn’t like sweet potato fries? (If that’s you, you might want to try them again just to be sure.) And these are extra special. You can munch on eight of them for just 78 calories and one gram of fat, plus two grams of protein. I found an awesome sweet potato fry recipe and included it at the end of this article.
2. Baked sweet potato. Everyone loves a loaded baked potato, but why not try a baked sweet potato instead! Whether it’s baked in the oven or microwaved, top it with a little healthy butter and a drizzle of honey, and you have a side dish that almost doubles as dessert!
3. Sweet potato salad. Try a new twist on potato salad by subbing in sweet potatoes for the regular variety. Not only will it change the flavor of the dish (a little sweeter and more flavorful), but also it’ll provide more vitamin C and fiber than a traditional potato, especially if you keep the skins on.
Sweet Potato Fry Recipe
1 pound sweet potatoes2 tbsp Egg Beaters 100% Liquid Egg Whites
2 tsp Gebhardt Chili Powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground cumin
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray large baking sheet with cooking spray. Peel sweet potatoes; cut into 1/2-inch wide slices and then into 1/2-inch wide strips.
2. Combine Egg Beaters 100% Liquid Egg Whites, chili powder, salt, garlic powder and cumin in large bowl; whisk until frothy. Add potatoes and toss to coat. Spread potatoes in single layer on prepared baking sheet. Spray evenly with cooking spray.
3. Bake 20 to 24 minutes, or until tender and golden. Enjoy!
This whole recipe makes four delicious 8-sweet-potato-fry servings. And if you’re looking for a little something to dip your fries in, we suggest combining two tablespoons of Hunt’s Hickory and Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce with two tablespoons of reduced-fat mayonnaise plus 1/4 teaspoon of Gebhardt Chili Powder. Delightful
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