I thought this week we’d take a look at sweet potatoes. Saluting a superfood like sweet potatoes is easy, they deserve it. Why? Keep reading about the health benefits of sweet potatoes to learn more.
Why Are Sweet Potatoes So Good For You?
Nothing even comes close to the amount of beta-carotene in sweet potatoes. Not even carrots. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that may help prevent strokes and certain kinds of cancer. After evaluating 50 vegetables for overall healthfulness, the Center for Science in the Public Interest ranked sweet potatoes near the top.
In addition to beta-carotene, they’re loaded with fiber and vitamin C and are virtually fat-free. Plus, a six-ounce serving delivers nearly 10 times the U.S. recommended daily allowance of vitamin A.
What’s the best way to get the health benefits of sweet potatoes?
Eat them when it’s NOT the holidays! There are so many health benefits of sweet potatoes it’s a food to enjoy all year long.
What’s the difference between yams and sweet potatoes?
Yams are native to Asia and Africa and are scaly with a dry, starchy taste. What is marketed in the U.S. as a yam is really a sweet potato, that has a moist orange or pale yellow flesh.
Here’s a fun recipe for sweet potato and apple soup. It makes 6
servings.
1 3/4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
1 small parsnip, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
salt to taste
6 cups vegetable stock or low-sodium broth
1 cup apple cider
1 tsp green Tabasco sauce
Finely diced Granny Smith apple and minced parsley for garnish
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a baking sheet, toss the sweet potatoes with the parsnip, garlic, olive oil and salt. Bake for 45 minutes, or until tender.
2. In a blender, puree half of the vegetables with 3 cups of the stock; transfer to a large saucepan. Repeat with the remaining vegetables and stock. Add the apple cider and Tabasco and heat. Season with salt. Serve with the diced apple and minced parsley.
If you feel stuck and need additional support to adopt a new healthy habit or routine, consider working with me. We can partner up in setting goals, drawing on your skills and strengths, and implementing strategies to help you find your way to lasting healthy success.
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For over 15 years, Shelli has been a freelance writer and wellness habit coach on Joyinmovement. She writes about brain fitness, creating a healthy lifestyle, traveling the world, and making positive habits stick. Stop procrastinating! Take action, join her free newsletter.
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