Had to pass by the farm yesterday and my uncle has grown quite a good number of potatoes.
Growing up, I wasn't really a fan of sweet potatoes, I'm guessing it was because of the first time I ate it, it was fried and too oily, and ever since, I haven't eaten one till earlier this year. Now I know that I have been missing out on one of the most versatile and nutritious vegetables available to have in your kitchen. It was definitely the way the person made the first one that went bad for me so created a bad impression of the entire thing my whole life.
What interests me most about sweet potatoes is the amount of beta carotene they contain. Your body converts beta carotene into vitamin A, which helps you with healthier eyesight and skin. Sweet potatoes also contain fiber to support good digestive health and potassium to maintain a healthy heart. Unlike white bread, the complex carbohydrates in sweet potatoes release sugar into your bloodstream more slowly which keeps your energy levels stable.
You can easily enjoy eating sweet potatoes numerous times a week, I certainly do now. The majority of people do well eating sweet potatoes without experiencing any adverse reactions. There is an issue with vitamin A toxicity that many people are concerned with, I believe this is a misconception. Your body will not continue converting beta carotene into vitamin A once it has enough vitamin A on board. You may experience slight yellow or orange discoloration of your palms if you eat too many sweet potatoes, but this is not permanent.
If you are diabetic, you should be mindful of portion sizes because sweet potatoes also contain natural sugars. If you are at risk for developing kidney stones, it may be important to discuss the oxalate levels in sweet potatoes with your physician before eating any.
Roasting sweet potatoes in olive oil until they begin to caramelize around the edges is my absolute favorite way to prepare them. Adding this fat increase the absorption of nutrients in sweet potatoes. On occasion, I will mash sweet potatoes with a little bit of butter and sprinkle cinnamon over them.
