Sweet Potato Day

Today is National Cook a Sweet Potato Day. Sweet potatoes are a healthy alternative to the white potato that's become a staple in the American diet. Restaurants are offering baked sweet potatoes more often as a menu choice. Recent health reports have spotlighted some of their benefits. They have twice the fiber and calcium of white potatoes and 1,300 times more vitamin A. All of this comes with fewer calories.

Sweet potatoes originated in either Central or South America, unlike the yam, which came from Africa. There are two main types of sweet potatoes, and the darker one is often mistakenly called yams. It is unlikely that you'd find true yams in a grocery store, unless you're shopping in an international market.

Sweet potatoes also have vitamin B6, which can help in preventing heart attacks. Their natural sugars go into the blood stream more slowly, making them better for diabetics than some other sweet foods. Choline in them helps sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory. It also helps reduce inflammation.

They are rich in carotenoids, like beta carotene, which helps prevent certain cancer and slows down the effects of aging. Studies show it helps prevent prostrate and colon cancer, and there's some indication it may also help with lung and breast cancer.

The information and evidence shows that adding sweet potatoes to the diet now and then may prove to be beneficial. I like plain baked sweet potatoes without anything on them, which is the healthier way to eat them. However, there's many great recipes out there when you want something special.

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