What’s So Great About Sweet Potato?

Slice into a sweet potato and you will see immediately why it is a superfood. Anything with a colour that vibrant is nature’s way of saying, “Eat Me!” Packed with fiber (especially with the skin ) and one of nature’s best sources of vitamins A and C, sweet potatoes are a true powerhouse. It’s no wonder we used it in our name.

Vitamin A can only be found in meat, but certain fruits and vegetables contain what are called cartenoids that are converted into vitamin A by our bodies. In the sweet potato’s case, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A.  Vitamin A’s other name is retinol (think retina) for the significant role it plays in healthy eyes.  According to whfoods.com, “vitamin A is also known to enhance the function of white blood cells, increase the response of antibodies to antigens, and to have anti-viral activity.” Pair this with sweet potato’s high vitamin C content and you have a serious antioxidant and immune boosting spud. Vitamin C is known to protect against free radicals, which may cause heart disease and cancer.

In need for a few more reasons to add sweet potatoes to your diet? They are a good source of iron, calcium and potassium and they have a favourable ranking on the glycemic index, meaning our bodies convert them into sugar slowly.

Preparation:

You can lose some of the nutritional value of sweet potato based on how you prepare it. A good rule of thumb with most vegetables is to steam, bake or boil.

To increase vitamin absorption, add a little fat to your recipes, in the form of heart healthy olive oil for instance.

If you’re at a loss for fun ways to incorporate sweet potatoes into your daily recipe grind, try our sweet potato french toast or sweet potato cookies.