The many ways to eat sweet potatoes
Greetings from a warm and sunny day in San Francisco.
Although the temperatures will be back in the 60s this weekend, we’re enjoying a couple of hot days. In fact, I even walked to the gym without a jacket.
As I was walking home today, I started thinking about a discussion I had earlier this week with a trainer certified in nutrition, around diet, food and healthy eating. That person shared the following thought, which really resonated with me:
“You want to have a lot of different natural colors on your plate at every meal.”
Picture a plate of mixed veggies, fruit, grains and protein. The more variety in hue, the better, because that most likely means more nutrients.
I try to do that. But I’m partial to a couple of colors, especially the orange of a sweet potato.
I just can’t get enough.
What I love about sweet potatoes is not only the taste and health benefits, but I also love that they’re easy to prepare and are very versatile. You can use a sweet potato as a side or use it as a carrier for a main meal. (They can come in purple too, but orange is definitely my favorite.)
Ways to eat sweet potatoes
I have a few go-to ways that I like to enjoy my sweet potatoes, including the following:
- Baked with nothing on it at all.
- Baked and topped with almond butter.
- Baked and topped with plain Greek yogurt.
- Baked with an egg-over-easy in the middle.
- Baked and topped with some chopped almonds and cinnamon.
- Chopped up, roasted and drizzled with olive oil.
- Mashed up in a sensational sweet potato smoothie.
I’ve only scratched the surface with all the variations, and I’m always looking for more. Here are a few interesting ways I plan to try soon, put together by some fellow healthy-living bloggers:
- Sweet potato nachos via Nut Butter Runner.
- Mexican stuffed sweet potato via The Fitnessista.
- Sweet potato meatloaf via Peanut Butter Fingers.
As you can see, the options are endless. And you can always feel good about eating orange, because sweet potatoes are chock full of vitamins, beta carotene and other good stuff.
Questions of the day
Are you a sweet potato fan? If so, how do you eat your sweet potatoes?
What’s one of your favorite foods that you can never get enough of?
I’m with you on the strong love for sweet potatoes! I go in phases with them, but they will always be a favorite food. I eat them all different ways. My favorites are roasting them with a little EVOO, baking them with a little salted butter, or in sweet potato casserole for special occasions/holidays.
Oh my, a sweet potato casserole? There’s something I’d like to try.
I love roasted eggplant and pumpkin. My two favorite right now.
I also love pumpkin, it’s fun to buy cans of it to put in everything. I don’t think it’s in season right now for me though. I’ve never actually roasted eggplant at home, so that should go on my list.
I eat a lot of sweet potatoes too! I keep it pretty simple usually. I like them baked and served with butter or cut up as sweet potato fries.
Sweet potato fries are a great way to enjoy them too. Love the orange!
Yes! Oh man…I love ALL of those ways to enjoy sweet potatoes. Obviously, I am slightly obsessed. I am with you on trying to eat the rainbow…but sometimes orange rules all. I am going to have to try your sweet potato smoothie (seriously, all the best ingredients!) and Julie’s meatloaf! They sound right up my alley! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for always offering such healthy, colorful and awesome food choices on your own blog. I’ve really been enjoying reading it.
I love to roast them in the oven and play with seasoning combinations. My current favorite is salt, parika, garlic and onion powder. Sometimes I do cinnamon though, to please the little one. Another good one is garlic and thyme. I feel so much better about eating sweet potatos than white potatos, so I have all but replaced white potatoes in our house.