Sweet potatoes are a great alternative to white potatoes, which have been shown to spike your blood sugar levels and increase Body Mass Index more than their orange-colored alternative. Here are 10 simple ways you can benefit from sweet potatoes in your everyday diet.
- Rich in vitamin A – Vitamin A is essential for maintaining good vision as well as healthy skin, teeth and gums. Sweet potatoes contain more vitamin A than any other orange vegetable, making them a great source of this important nutrient.
- Rich in other vitamins and minerals – Sweet potatoes are rich in B-complex vitamins like riboflavin and niacin as well as vitamins C and E. They’re also good sources of potassium, iron and calcium.
- Rich in fiber – Fiber helps to fill you up so you don’t overeat. Women need 25 grams of fiber a day while men need 38 grams per day. Just one serving of sweet potatoes (about 5 ounces or half a medium sweet potato) can give you almost 15 percent of your daily fiber requirement.
- Low fat – One medium sweet potato contains just 35 calories. It’s also virtually fat free since it offers only trace amounts of fat.
- High in antioxidants – Sweet potatoes contain antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins which may help prevent cell damage that can lead to cancer and heart disease.
- High in Nutrients – Sweet potatoes are a healthy and tasty way to get your daily recommended dose of nutrients. One medium sized sweet potato contains 4 grams of dietary fiber, which is more than half of the daily recommended intake. They are also an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin B6 and potassium.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties – Sweet potatoes contain antioxidants like beta carotene which help reduce inflammation in the body. Just one serving of sweet potato gives you more antioxidant power than spinach or carrots!
