It seems like people are always talking smack about potatoes. Here's the truth: potatoes really aren't so bad - you just have to learn the best ways to eat potatoes, and of course, not eating ALL the potatoes is super important. It's true, when you eat ALL the potatoes you may experience some lasting side effects - like weight gain and sky high blood sugar. But who's gonna eat all the potatoes? Not us, that's for sure.
Here are a two reasons to consider swapping your white potato for sweet potato this weekend:
1. Sweet potatoes have less of an impact on your blood sugar than white potatoes. This is because they have a lower glycemic index. When you're loading up on a plate full of turkey dinner, which inevitably includes a dinner roll, turkey stuffing, pumpkin pie and other carb-ilicious goodies, you may as well choose an option that will lessen that blood sugar blow.
2. Sweet potatoes kick white potatoes out of the park when it comes to beta-carotene. Seriously. Half a cup of sweet potato provides 12,161 µg of beta-carotene while white potato has a measly 4 µg. That's a home run…3000 times over. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that protects our cells from damage. Our body also uses beta-carotene to produce Vitamin A, which is great for eye health, our immune system, and good skin.
Portion size: As I said above, let's not go over board on the sweet potato. Half a cup of sweet potato is one serving. That said, depending on what else you're chowing down on, you may want to reduce the serving size to 1/3 or 1/4 cup.
Looking for a sweet potato recipe that's appropriate for Thanksgiving dinner? I did my homework for you and found a few recipes that should do the trick:
Garlic Sweet Potato Mash
Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Baked Sweet Potatoes with Citrus
Before I sign off, I'd like to ask you for one favour. Please, for the love of all things good, avoid adding marshmallows to your sweet potato dish. For this, I thank you one hundred times over.
For more Thanksgiving health tips click here.
Rebecca
Here are a two reasons to consider swapping your white potato for sweet potato this weekend:
1. Sweet potatoes have less of an impact on your blood sugar than white potatoes. This is because they have a lower glycemic index. When you're loading up on a plate full of turkey dinner, which inevitably includes a dinner roll, turkey stuffing, pumpkin pie and other carb-ilicious goodies, you may as well choose an option that will lessen that blood sugar blow.
2. Sweet potatoes kick white potatoes out of the park when it comes to beta-carotene. Seriously. Half a cup of sweet potato provides 12,161 µg of beta-carotene while white potato has a measly 4 µg. That's a home run…3000 times over. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that protects our cells from damage. Our body also uses beta-carotene to produce Vitamin A, which is great for eye health, our immune system, and good skin.
Portion size: As I said above, let's not go over board on the sweet potato. Half a cup of sweet potato is one serving. That said, depending on what else you're chowing down on, you may want to reduce the serving size to 1/3 or 1/4 cup.
Looking for a sweet potato recipe that's appropriate for Thanksgiving dinner? I did my homework for you and found a few recipes that should do the trick:
Garlic Sweet Potato Mash
Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Baked Sweet Potatoes with Citrus
Before I sign off, I'd like to ask you for one favour. Please, for the love of all things good, avoid adding marshmallows to your sweet potato dish. For this, I thank you one hundred times over.
For more Thanksgiving health tips click here.
Rebecca
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