7 Things You Should Know About Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a delicious addition to most meals. Whether they be roasted sweet potatoes or a casserole with marshmallows, you’ll be sure to enjoy them.
But what do we really know about yams, other than their popularity around Thanksgiving? Well, there’s a lot to know about these root vegetables other than how great they are during autumn.
So let’s look at some of the most commonly asked questions about sweet potatoes!
Sweet Potato Benefits
So what are the benefits of eating sweet potatoes, if any?
Nutrient Filled
Sweet potatoes aren’t exactly nutrient-rich, but they do offer plenty of vitamins that are required in a healthy diet.
A one-cup serving of sweet potatoes contains roughly 448mg of potassium, 4g of dietary fiber, and 2.1g of protein. The vitamin content for the same serving size will yield about 5% of the daily value for vitamin C, 4% for iron, 15% vitamin B6, 8% magnesium, and 4% calcium.
Obviously, these aren’t game-changing numbers but they do offer some help. Considering they are usually a side dish, sweet potatoes are a great opportunity to catch up on any daily values you’re missing.
Supports Immune System
Sweet potatoes are a rich source of beta-carotene, a compound that is converted to vitamin A when ingested. Vitamin A is crucial to a healthy immune system and who doesn’t love staying healthy.
In addition to providing support for your immune system, vitamin A aids in keeping the lining in your gut healthy. Since most health issues or diseases originate from what you eat, having a healthy gut can also prevent severe illnesses.
Are Sweet Potatoes High In Histamine?
If you’re looking for a vegetable that is low in histamine then you’ll be happy to learn about sweet potatoes!
Sweet potatoes are low in histamine and do not trigger the release of the body’s natural histamine. This doesn’t mean they are histamine free, but overall they are safe to eat.
If you’re concerned about any histamine intolerance and want to be safe, I recommend checking with your doctor to determine what’s safe to eat in your diet.
Can Sweet Potatoes Be Frozen?
Yes, sweet potatoes can be frozen. However, there are some best practices to follow when freezing sweet potatoes that you should follow.
First, avoid freezing raw sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes have high water content and are likely to get freezer burn if you try to freeze them raw.
Secondly, blanche before you freeze! This will add to their crispness and also avoid any problems with expanding after freezing.
Are Sweet Potatoes Keto?
Keto diets generally want to avoid high carb foods and will focus on lower carb meals. Sadly, sweet potatoes are fairly high in carbohydrates, meaning they aren’t keto-friendly.
That being said, you don’t necessarily have to avoid sweet potatoes at all costs. If you eat them in moderation and control your portions to fit the number of carbs you’re allowed, then you may be able to still enjoy them.
Are Sweet Potatoes Gluten-Free?
Sweet potatoes are naturally gluten-free and safe to eat. However, problems may arise in their preparation and any ingredients added in. As an example, if you’re preparing your sweet potatoes in an area where gluten-containing foods also are prepared, then they may be at risk of cross-contamination.
The best solution is to check any ingredients that you may be adding to your sweet potatoes and avoid preparing them around any kinds of wheat, grains, or other gluten-filled food.
Are Sweet Potatoes High In Fiber?
Sweet potatoes are rich in many nutrients and fiber is one of them. The average medium-sized sweet potato contains roughly 3.8 grams of fiber, making it a great source of fiber.
Fiber is a beneficial nutrient that promotes a healthy digestive system. That adds another healthy aspect of sweet potatoes, because of their high fiber content.
Are Sweet Potatoes High In Potassium?
We discussed the health benefits earlier and the content of potassium was mentioned.
Sweet potatoes are relatively high in potassium and a great source if you’re missing potassium in your diet. A one-cup serving of sweet potato contains a staggering 448mg of potassium, which is a good amount.
Summary
Sweet potatoes are a great addition to any plate. They are low in histamine, high in fiber, high in potassium, gluten-free, and offer a lot of nutrients. The biggest downside to sweet potatoes is that they aren’t keto friendly. But, if you’re not following a keto diet, then I strongly recommend adding them to your diet!
