WELCOME

Welcome to my Blog. Check back for new blog posts regarding nutrition, food, and fitness. You can also access my blog posts, daily nutrition tips and recipe ideas from my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/healthyyounutrition and don't forget to "like" us!

Interested in a healthy lifestyle change but don't know where to start? Check out the NUTRITION SERVICES tab for the motivation and support you need to start living life as a healthier you!

Health and Happiness,


Stephanie : 0 )








Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Don't be a couch potato...cook a Sweet Potato


Sweet potatoes provide our bodies with nutrients that promote a healthier life.  Sweet potatoes can help protect against stroke, heart disease and cancer. 

High in Fiber – lowers the risk of constipation, diverticulitis, colon and rectal cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity; fiber provides a feeling of fullness and satiety which helps control food intake

High in Antioxidants – prevents heart disease and cancer; vitamin E and beta-carotene are essential for good brain functioning and in delaying the effects of aging on the brain; pair sweet potatoes with a healthy fat such as olive oil, nuts or avocados to enjoy the full benefits of these antioxidants; also provides anti-inflammatory properties

Low Glycemic Index – slow absorption for a modest rise in blood sugars and a slow return to normal which is especially important for people with diabetes

Excellent Source of Potassium – plays a major role in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and cell integrity; sweet potatoes are one of the top three richest sources of potassium

Sweet potatoes also contain vitamin C, B6, B5, B3 and copper.

Storage:
Store in a cool, dark place
Don’t store in the refrigerator
Don’t rinse them until you are ready to use them


Recipes:
Add a sweet potato dish to your weekly menus.

Now if you are wondering if there is a difference between a sweet potato and a yam, well after lots of research I have found that these two vegetables are used interchangeably in the US and both offer health benefits.  I also found out that these two aren't even related. 


Sweet potatoes are touted to be lower in calories and have a lower glycemic index while yams tend to have more vitamin C and folate content.
The important thing to remember is to choose bright vegetables because they often offer more nutrients so opt for the bright orange vegetable - it might be a yam, it might be a sweet potato, either way, it's healthy.

No comments:

Post a Comment