Nutritionists consider sweet potatoes to be one of nature’s perfect foods. In fact, when it comes to nutritional lists that single out particularly noteworthy foods, sweet potatoes are almost always on those lists.
This starchy vegetable is bursting with vitamin A, fiber, potassium, and phytochemicals, which stave off aging, cancer, and arthritis. Plus, they’re very filling, naturally sweet, and so delicious.
Here’s how to make sweet potatoes healthier, without ruining a good thing with too much sugar and fat:
1. To bring out more natural sweetness, roast, don’t boil, your potatoes.
2. Mash with light sour cream, butter, salt and cinnamon.
3. A standard serving size should be ½ cup.
4. Be sure to significantly reduce, or avoid, popular toppings like marshmallows, too much sugar and too much butter.
5. If you’re whipping your potatoes, try using low-fat buttermilk, that you’ve previously warmed, instead of whole milk.
6. If you want to use a sweetener, opt for brown sugar or honey, which are more natural and better for you than processed white sugar.
7. Lastly, remember to never store sweet potatoes in the refrigerator; doing so can lead to decay, bad flavor, and a more difficult cooking experience.