We all love the sugary, caramelized flavor of sweetpotatoes, but the benefits of sweetpotatoes are what make this spud spectacular! Behind their colorful interior, sweetpotatoes are chock full of nutrients from which you can easily benefit when prepared properly.
Benefits of Sweetpotatoes:
- VITAMIN A When eaten with the skin on, one medium sweetpotato contains over 100% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A, which plays a role in vision, bone development and immune function. For maximum absorption of vitamin A, be sure to pair your sweetpotato with foods that contain some fat – such as a pat of butter or avocado. Sources – NCBI: Role of Vitamin A in the Immune System; Science Direct: Carotenoids and β-carotene in orange fleshed sweetpotato: A possible solution to vitamin A deficiency
- FIBER Sweetpotatoes are a good source of fiber, which can contribute to feelings of satiety, or feeling “full” and can aid in digestion, by helping to help keep you regular. Diets rich in foods containing fiber, such as some vegetables and fruits, may reduce the risk of heart disease, and some types of cancer (a disease associated with many factors). A medium sweetpotato baked in its skin has 4 grams of fiber, more than a packet of instant oatmeal. Sources – Nutritionfacts.org: Where Do You Get Your Fiber? ; Science Direct: Individual differences in the interoceptive states of hunger, fullness and thirst.
- POTASSIUM Sweetpotatoes contain potassium. Diets containing foods that are a good source of potassium and that are low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Source – Nutritionfacts.org: 98% of American Diets Potassium-Deficient.
- CARBOHYDRATES Sweetpotatoes are made of complex carbohydrates that are released at a steady pace for a constant source of energy, so no sugar highs or lows to worry about. Source – American Heart Association, Inc.: Carbohydrates
- CALORIES A medium sweetpotato (approximately 2 inches in diameter and 5 inches in length) contains about 100 calories when baked in the skin. Source – USDA: Basic Report: 11508, Sweetpotato, cooked, baked in skin, flesh, without salt
For the complete nutritional analysis of a medium sweetpotato, baked in its skin, visit the USDA website.