Why On EARTH Aren't You Eating Sweet Potatoes?!
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Why On EARTH Aren't You Eating Sweet Potatoes?!

It can be pizza, it can be pasta, and it can be dessert; so where's the love?

24
Why On EARTH Aren't You Eating Sweet Potatoes?!
Serious Eats

Listen, I get the hype over potatoes, I really do. They make our french fries, you can turn them into hash browns, if you married a potato they would treat you right: these are all fundamental factors we can agree on.

But, what if there was a better potato? A potato that could be all of these things: delicious, versatile and a potential lovetato (lover-potato)? What if it was tasty and nutritious? What if this was a potato that could be eaten for dinner and dessert? OR could be combined with many, many other meals for an additional boost of vitamins and flavor and works with any cuisine?

The answer, my friends, is the sweet potato. Maybe you’ve tried them before and didn’t like them; perhaps their subtle sweetness and squash-like texture failed to pull you into the wonderful world of this colorful, starchy boy.

Maybe so, but I implore you to give this blessed tuber another shot, for the following information might just win you over.

1. Sweet potatoes are spectacularly healthy!

Granted, while regular potatoes have some beneficial nutrients like vitamin B6, a necessity for cell reformation and contain kukoamines which lower blood pressure, the sweet potato has almost all of these on top of an inordinate amount of vitamin A — twice the amount found in carrots!

Vitamin A’s not just for better vision; it’s something that keeps our immune system in check and ensures cell regulation. Along with vitamin A, sweet potatoes boast a good dose of vitamin C that boosts our immune system further and ensures a better nervous system and psychological function.

If you’re lacking iron in your diet, a sweet potato can be combined with iron-rich foods like lentils, soybeans, and spinach to allow your body to absorb this nutrient far better, because iron absorption is enhanced with vitamin C! An awesome recipe for this is this amazing sweet potato spinach curry.

Oh, and speaking of recipes...


2. Sweet potatoes work with, and as, just about anything!

Making sweet potato fries or wedges will be a tad healthier than regular potatoes (though don’t expect much nutrition from deep-frying, like… anything), but you can do way better than that. A curried sweet potato soup is an awesome appetizer, but you can make it even healthier by adding carrots to up those antioxidants.

Baked potatoes work, of course, but why not a baked sweet potato? Get some extra nutrients from your dish like with this roasted chickpea stuffed potatoes recipe.

What’s cool is that all these recipes I’m showing you are entirely vegan, meaning your food’s gonna be tasty and cruelty-free. We’re not done yet, however, because us plant-eaters figured out how to incorporate sweet potato into mac & cheese, quesadillas, pizza and even burgers!

But perhaps savory food isn’t your thing. Don’t worry: the sweet potato’s got you covered.


3. Sweet potatoes can be a gosh dang dessert!

“Excuse me?” you ask, your face expressing that of confusion and frustration, but your eyes still glistening as you ache for more information. “A dessert, you say? B-But, potatoes are savory-”

“Shh,” I reply, pushing a sweet potato against your lips to silence you. “Let me explain.”

See, because of science, sweet potatoes have more sugar than a regular potato, but just the right amount to make it a very versatile food item; meaning it can be used in savory recipes and sweet ones.

A very simple recipe is simply baking the sweet potato, but instead of just using butter (or a dairy-free alternative) you combine it with sugar and cinnamon. What you get is a delightfully sweet and creamy dish that works alongside a meal or as a dessert.

But, if you want something a little sweeter, you can actually make sweet potatoes into a creamy, zesty pudding like this vegan sweet potato pudding. Want something a little more chocolaty? This super-quick to prepare 5 ingredient brownie makes a low-fat, plant-based alternative to store bought brownies with an additional kick of nutrition.

“Woah, Robert,” you utter, crossing your arms and offering me a look of disdain. “What if I wanted a chocolate pudding instead?”

“How about you try this vegan Mexican chocolate sweet potato pudding instead?”

“O-Oh,” you reply, starting to sweat; your punishment for underestimating our orange friend. “My mistake.”

"It's OK," I say, reassuringly; wiping away your tears with the potato. "It's OK."


Maybe this article hasn’t convinced you to start incorporating sweet potatoes into your diet. Perhaps its unique taste and texture just aren't for you, and that makes sense: it doesn’t work for everyone. Perhaps I scared you away when I metaphorically rubbed your face with a harvested ingredient.

Either way, I’ve seen the converters before: I’ve convinced people to give the sweet potato another try as a dessert, and they actually ended up enjoying it. For those still on the fence about sweet potatoes, those that wish to up their nutritional intake, or simply those wanting to try something different, the sweet potato might just be your new friend.

I sure know it's mine, *kisses the potato*.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52045
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33430
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956269
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181181
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments