Sweet potatoes are divine veggies that grace our plates during the holiday seasons! These beauties range in color from orange, yellow, and purple. From a Thanksgiving meal to a post-workout snack, sweet potatoes are full of flavor and all things good for you.
A one cup serving of sweet potato (cooked, with the skin on) contains:
- More than four times the RDA of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) – vitamin A is crucial for eye health, as well as a strong immune system and healthy bone development.
- 35% of daily recommended amount vitamin C. Vitamin C not only supports immune health, it also helps the body make collagen, which is used throughout the body for tissue and ligament repair (and more!)
- About half of the RDA of manganese – manganese helps regulate blood sugar and supports the proper function of the thyroid (which can help keep your weight in check).
- A good dose of magnesium – magnesium supports heart and blood vessel health (as well as quite a few other things), but it also promotes relaxation and helps combat stress and anxiety.
- They’re also a good source of potassium, vitamin D, vitamin B6, and biotin. Add that to the four grams of heart-healthy fiber and nearly three grams of protein.
More Potatoes Please
While it’s true that potatoes are carbohydrate-rich vegetables, sweet potatoes contain complex, not simple, carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are released as energy slowly and over time, which means they provide sustaining energy and won’t cause your blood sugar to spike (then crash).
Sweet Potatoes with a Kefir Twist
You can steam and blend with your favorite warming spices and some kefir to make a Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie. Baked or mashed sweet potatoes add extra dimension and taste to a meal, that’s why our Curry Sweet Potato Rounds with a Kefir Dipping Sauce is satisfying. You can even live out your #toasttuesday dreams with a sweet potato toast topped with our herbed kefir cheese or even Wasabi Honey Kefir Dressing.
Let us know how you enjoy sweet potatoes by leaving us a comment on Facebook, or stopping by our Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram pages.