Sweet Potatoes vs White Potatoes

http://www.karenrothnutrition.com Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Karen Roth, MS, NC discusses the health benefits of Sweet Potatoes.

Sweet potatoes make an ideal replacement for white potatoes. They have fewer calories, more fiber and a lot more flavor.

This vegetable is an excellent source of beta-carotene, and a very good source of vitamin C, both these nutrients have anti-inflammatory properties and can be helpful in reducing symptoms associated with arthritis. And unlike regular potatoes that can aggravate arthritis that belong to the nightshade family, sweet potatoes do not.

Some recent animal studies showed that sweet potatoes helped stabilize blood sugar levels thanks to the beta-carotene. So this is an excellent food for diabetics.

When shopping for Sweet potatoes, avoid the ones that are in the refrigerated section of the store. And do not refrigerate them when you get them home. The moisture can alters the taste and cause them to sprout. Look for ones that are firm with not blemishes or cracks. They will keep for over a week if kept in a cool dark space.

One of the easiest ways to prepare sweet potatoes is just by steaming them. You can cut them up into cubes and steam for just about 7-10 minutes depending on the size of your cubes. Top with some butter and eat. You can also, peel them before steaming, them mash them up add olive oil or butter and season with salt and pepper. Or try mixing in some cinnamon, sprinkle with shredded coconut and chopped nuts for a sweet crunchy side dish.

My personal favorite way to prepare sweet potatoes is by baking them. I start with Organic, so I can eat the skin, poke holes, and coat with olive oil and sea salt, and then bake 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes. The olive oil and salt gives it such a nice flavor, that you dont need to add anything, else, but you can add butter if you like.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Arthritis
• inflammation
• sweet potatoes
• blood sugar
• diabetes
• insulin resistance
• fiber
• low calorie
• nightshade vegetables
• alternative to potatoes

[smurfieboo]

If you steam a sweet potato, wrap it in foil - otherwise the taste is watery.

[NutritionalChoice]

@smurfieboo I would go one step further and wrap the potato in parchment paper then aluminum, so the aluminum does not leach into the potato.

[smurfieboo]

@NutritionalChoice great tip, thanks! 

[calico992]

Anything that grows underground soaks up pesticides like a sponge. I know you said it, but it bears repeating, Carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, its gotta be organic!

[scoza]

They also contain omega-3, omega-6, pack massive amount of vitamin A, and good doses of clean protein. Good eatings people!

[osehietomi123]

the oilnyness of the olive oil???

[chopin65]

I add them baked to my spinach salad with a vinaigrette dressing. Yummy!