Health and Weight Loss Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet, Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are full of goodness and pack a lot of nutrients and can not only provide health benefits but weight loss benefits too.
Although they may look like potatoes they are different in texture and taste. Their skin is also different in color and the flesh inside is more fluffy and light than a normal potato. I doubt you would be surprised to learn that they have a sweet flavor and can usually be cooked quicker compared to your average potato.
These types of potatoes are usually eaten during the holidays but should be eaten more often as they are relatively cheap, readily available and delicious to boot!
Read the article below to see why you should be eating Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes shouldn’t just be saved for holiday pies. These potatoes are chock-full of health benefits and easily make traditional white Russet potatoes pale in comparison. Here are a few reasons why sweet potatoes are so superior.
Sweet potatoes are a great source of dietary fiber. There are roughly 6-7 grams in one medium-baked potato. Many Americans are deficient in fiber and by introducing high-fiber foods like sweet potato into the diet, they won’t need to take supplements.
If you are calorie counting to maintain a deficit you’ll be happy to know that a medium sweet potato has 112 calories. One medium Russet has 169! Sweet potato is very dense so despite being lower in calories, it is often far more filling for the stomach.
People on low-carb diets find that sweet potatoes are a perfect alternative. One medium-sized sweet potato has roughly 26 grams of carbs vs 38 carbs in a medium Russet. It would also have only about 5.4 grams of sugar and 3.9 grams of fiber. Those on Paleo diets can eat sweet potatoes as well, despite not being able to eat traditional potato varieties.
Those struggling with blood sugar may be better able to digest sweet potatoes than white potatoes since they have a lower glycemic impact depending on how they are cooked. Even those without blood sugar problems can benefit from how slowly sugar from the sweet potato is released as spikes in blood sugar are associated with weight gain and other health problems. It’s all about portion size and how you cook this vegetable.
It’s almost crazy how full of vitamins sweet potatoes are. They contain vitamins A, C, D, B1, B2 and B6. The beta-carotene associated with the orange flesh is especially a good source of vitamin A.
Sweet potatoes have manganese, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper and more. These minerals all have their own individual benefits that make them extremely important for overall health.
As mentioned, sweet potato is a great source of the mineral manganese. Magnesium is important for preventing the effects of stress and improve over heart, circulatory and nerve functions.
This vitamin is also a hormone and is prevalent in sweet potatoes. Not only does vitamin D support healthier bones but it also affects mood, similar to magnesium.
If you’ve been feeling tired and weak or have been getting ill easily, you’re probably lacking iron. Sweet potatoes give plenty of this immune system protecting, white blood cell count boosting mineral.
With its delicious flavor and numerous health benefits, having sweet potato once or twice a week is a wonderful idea.
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