All About Sweet Potatoes

All About Sweet Potatoes + 21 Delicious Recipes

Sweet potatoes are starchy root vegetables with a sweet taste (obviously) that are grown worldwide.

But fun fact: sweet potatoes actually aren’t potatoes at all!

They’re not yams, either, but they are a part of the morning glory family. 

Whatever they’re scientifically classified as, the fact remains that sweet potatoes are a popular food thanks to their delicious taste and versatility! They’re certainly one of my favorite ingredients to use.  

Not only are they tasty, but they offer several health benefits, such as the following:

Incredibly Nutritious

Sweet potatoes are considered a superfood because they’re packed full of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, and fiber, all essential nutrients for your body to function properly. A single sweet potato contains almost 400% of your daily vitamin A requirements! Orange and purple varieties of sweet potatoes are also rich in antioxidants.  

Promotes a Healthy Gut

The previously mentioned fiber, specifically soluble fiber, helps support digestion and absorbs water in order to aid in easy bowel movements. (Go here to learn why fiber is vital for your health).

Additionally, the antioxidants found in sweet potatoes assist in good gut bacteria production, which contributes to overall gut health.

Improves Eye Health

Beta carotene is an antioxidant found in many vegetables, including sweet potatoes. Once ingested, your body converts it into vitamin A, which might help prevent vision loss and improve eye health.

Reduces Inflammation 

In addition to improving eye health, beta carotene helps reduce inflammation by “cleaning” the body’s cells of free radicals (that’s what causes inflammation).

Paired with vitamin C, an antioxidant in its own right, sweet potatoes can definitely aid in alleviating discomfort caused by unnecessary inflammation.

Aids in Weight Loss

So, yes, sweet potatoes are a starch with a high carbohydrate count, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help you maintain a healthy weight! In fact, complex carbs are essential and come with an array of health benefits (read more about that here).

Dietary fiber and the other possible sweet potato health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, helping control blood sugar, and supporting fat loss, are excellent for weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight.  

Strengthens Immune System and Might Help Avoid Some Health Issues

First and foremost, with any health concern, always consult your doctor first! And though all of these still need more scientific studies, we know a few things for certain, one of which is that vitamin A is critical to a strong immune system, and sweet potato contains a good amount of the vitamin.

With that being said, it is highly possible that eating sweet potatoes can help protect you against several chronic illnesses.

One study suggests the vegetable can help strengthen the brain and avoid cognitive decline. Other studies have found sweet potatoes have cancer-fighting properties. 

Also, sweet potatoes can aid in controlling blood sugar, and their mix of nutrients might promote cardiovascular health, both of which are important for helping protect against or manage symptoms of diabetes and heart disease.

Now that we know WHY sweet potatoes are great, let’s look at some fantastic recipes to use them in!

Here are just 21 of my favorite sweet potato dishes:

1. Santa Fe-Inspired Sweet Potatoes

If you’re trying to feed your family on a budget, then this is one you should try!

They’re also easy to throw together and great for families with several different taste buds. Everyone can choose their own toppings to make their dish perfect for them.

2. Crispy Crunchy Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Chips

Having a healthy snack on hand is always wise, and these chips are one of my favorites. They’re irresistible and so satisfying to munch on with the combination of sweet and salty.

For more tips on mindful snacking, check out this article and go here for snacking myths to avoid.

3. Baked Sweet Potatoes Stuffed with Tuna + Spinach Salad

Here’s another super tasty and budget-friendly meal for you!

Most of these ingredients are probably in your kitchen right now, and if not, it’s still a very flexible and forgiving recipe, so you can alter it to work for you and your family.

4. Sweet Potato Pancakes

These divine sweet potato pancakes are a spin on the traditional recipe!

They have the most satisfying fluffy texture and delightful flavors and will leave the body feeling full of energy rather than bloated and tired like simple carbs cause.

5. Beef + Sweet Potato Sliders

Honestly, this recipe couldn’t be more straightforward or more delicious! Top these sliders off with some Clean Eating Homemade Ketchup or Homemade Mayonnaise.

6. Crock Pot Sweet Potato + Quinoa Soup

Here’s a nutritious and time-saving soup for you! I genuinely don’t think you can eat too much soup, and honestly, many of us could be enjoying it even more often! It’s an incredibly convenient, healthy, and hydrating meal that’s great for meal prepping.

7. Sweet Potato Eggs Benedict

Eggs Benedict is an iconic breakfast classic that doesn’t have to be as complicated or intimidating as it seems.

This recipe makes the meal more accessible and will appeal to those who are gluten-free, skipping bread, and/or are simply sweet potato lovers!

8. Chili Sweet Potato Fries

If you have someone difficult to please in your life or who refuses to eat your “health food,” then make these, and say nothing about the fact that sweet potatoes are nutrient powerhouses!

They’ll be too busy enjoying the explosion of flavor to pay attention to the untraditional spin on a delicious meal.

9. Sweet Potato Hash

Add this to your weekly breakfast menu, trust me!

It’s DELICIOUS. The bacon and sweet potatoes complement each other perfectly. Plus, there are several reasons to eat eggs every day!

10. Pulled Chicken Sweet Potato Sliders

My crock pot is my personal savior!

There have been so many days where I have NO time to cook, so I throw all the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning and come home to a fully prepared and tasty meal, just like this!

11. Smashed + Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These smashed + roasted sweet potatoes combine all the best things: a sweet and creamy center with lightly salty and crispy edges. You can try making these potatoes with different variations of fresh or dried herbs, and you’ll have a brand-new flavor each time!

12. Chipotle Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Slightly spicy, creamy, and ULTRA flavorful, with a tangy spin on the ole’ potato salad!

It’s great for backyard parties because you can make it a few hours ahead, then pull it out of the fridge and serve.

13. Chickpea Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

​​Here is a creative, budget-friendly, and SUPER FLAVORFUL plant-based meal idea for your new week.

And did I mention easy? It just takes a few minutes of hands-on time, and you’ll have something absolutely delicious to enjoy!

14. Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls

I LOVE sloppy joes, and this recipe takes everything great about that childhood favorite meal and makes it something new and exciting!

These bowls have a hint of sweetness from the tomato sauce and maple syrup, a complex and tangy finish thanks to the mustard and coconut aminos, and bursts of flavor from the freshly chopped vegetables.

15. Layered Sweet Potato Salad

Not only is this sweet potato salad BEAUTIFUL, but it’s super convenient to serve guests, so you should save this recipe for any future gatherings you might have.

And feel free to get creative when you make it so it’s tailored to your taste buds!

16. Sweet Potato Pizza Snacks

You only need a few simple ingredients to make these delectable roasted sweet potato pizza snacks.

They’re great for kids to make because they are easy and fun, but also, pizza is very familiar to kids – so they’re more likely to want to try this version!

17. Lentil + Sweet Potato Soup

Here’s another great recipe for my fellow soup lovers! Also, a single serving of lentils provides about 32% of the body’s necessary daily fiber and can aid in lowering cholesterol. 

18. Roasted Chicken + Sweet Potato

Meal prepping can be overwhelming, but finding the right recipes make all the difference.

The tasty chicken morsels mixed with crispy roasted sweet potatoes and topped with tangy fresh shredded cabbage make for a perfectly balanced nutrition for your week ahead!

19. Chili Lime Sweet Potato Gratin

This gratin is most popular in the Fall and Winter, especially as a side dish for big holiday meals, but it’s fantastic year-round.

So, either save this recipe to return to later in the year, or go ahead and make it soon because I promise you will LOVE this perfectly tender and layered chili lime sweet potato gratin!

20. Hearty Beef + Sweet Potato Stew

Stew, like soup, is an excellent meal for warming you up, saving time, and packing nutrients into one bowl. PLUS, it’s delicious, so you’ll want to try this hearty stew soon!

21. Healthy Roasted Garlic Mashed Sweet Potatoes

I’m ending with this recipe because mashed potatoes are a favorite and a classic, and this sweet potato version only adds good things to the dish.

The flavors are complex and indulgent enough to serve guests the next time you’re entertaining, but you might also want to add this recipe to your regular dinner rotation.

There you have it, 21 creative, tasty, simple, and nutritious ways to enjoy sweet potatoes year-round!

It was REALLY difficult to narrow this list down to twenty, but I hope you like the ones I decided to share. If you want more, simply use the search bar on our website to scroll through our other recipes.

If you share your meals online, be sure to tag me so I can see all your wonderful sweet potato creations!

Keep CRUSHing it! 

The post All About Sweet Potatoes first appeared on Clean Food Crush.

from Clean Food Crush https://ift.tt/NlQcnwF