With their sensationally sweet flavour, wonderfully creamy texture and brilliant versatility, it’s really no wonder that sweet potatoes have become the foodie’s latest cooking staple.
There’s no question that this tasty root vegetable is here to stay but even better than its delicious taste are the outstanding health benefits of sweet potatoes.
The firm texture of sweet potato makes it a perfect nutrient-rich and gluten-free substitute for buns with these paleo turkey burgers.
SWEET POTATO NUTRITION
Just last year, Australia saw the strangest recurrence of scurvy – yep, that same Vitamin C-deficient disease we were told long-time seafarers often suffered.
But if oranges just aren’t cutting it when it comes to getting your daily recommended intake of Vitamin C, sweet potato has your back.
According to the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, just one 150g serve of sweet potato has 112 per cent of an adult’s recommended dietary intake, helping to boost your immune system and absorb more iron from your meats.
If you think that’s impressive, that same serve of sweet potato also contains 249 per cent of an adult’s daily intake of Vitamin A.
It’s important in maintaining healthy skin and eyes and you could say kumara really brings its A-game to the nutrition stakes!
Sweet potato is also a great source of niacin. Also known as Vitamin B3, it assists in stabilising energy levels and reducing tiredness and fatigue.
These vegetarian kumara and ‘chorizo’ tacos are a mouth-watering way to make the most of sweet potatoes.
HIGH FIBRE, LOW CARB
Unlike common kitchen staples such as rice, bread and corn, sweet potato has a relatively low carbohydrate content. Coming in at around 26g per 150g baked serve, it will keep you fuller for longer, and help you stay your hand when it comes to snacking throughout the day.
Simultaneously, sweet potato is also a source of fibre, which promotes a healthy digestive system and helps to help keep you regular.
So whether you’re turning your sweet potatoes into a kumara hummus or adding it to a vegetarian curry, this incredible root veg definitely deserves a place in your diet.
