Sweet potato is one of my favourite additions to a meal during the colder months. It is tasty, easy to prepare, and feels like a comfort food. Sweet potatoes are a great source of fibre, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C. They are also full of Vitamin A, providing approximately 760% of your daily recommended intake!
Beta Carotene is the true name of the compound that gives sweet potatoes their characteristic orange colour. Beta Carotene is taken in from food and converted to Vitamin A within the body. Vitamin A is important for vision, eye conditions (such as glaucoma and cataracts), immune function, and wound healing. Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, meaning it is best absorbed when fat is consumed with it.
I have included 3 fast and simple ways to prepare sweet potatoes for you to try! Add them to a meal and let me know what you think.
Garlic Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
4 Sweet Potatoes
2 Tbsp Avocado Oil
2 cloves of Garlic
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°C
Wash and peel the Sweet Potatoes
Cut Sweet Potatoes into ¼” slices
Spread out Sweet Potatoes evenly in a glass baking dish
Coat Sweet Potatoes in Avocado Oil
Chop Garlic Cloves and sprinkle on sliced Sweet Potatoes
Bake at 400°C for approximately 30 minutes
Note: Sweet Potatoes are fully cooked when they feel soft when poked with a fork.
Savory Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
4 Sweet Potatoes
2 Tbsp Avocado Oil
1 Tbsp Thyme (fresh or dried)
2 Tbsp Rosemary (fresh or dried)
2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
Sprinkle of Black Pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°C
Wash and peel the Sweet Potatoes
Cut Sweet Potatoes into ¼” slices
Spread out Sweet Potatoes evenly in a glass baking dish
Coat Sweet Potatoes in Avocado Oil
Sprinkle Thyme, Rosemary, Balsamic Vinegar, and Black Pepper on sliced Sweet Potatoes and mix thoroughly
Bake at 400°C for approximately 30 minutes
Note: Sweet potatoes are fully cooked when they feel soft when poked with a fork. You can easily add other vegetables to this dish. Red peppers, onions, carrots, and butternut squash are some of my go-to additions.
Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
4 Sweet Potatoes
2 Tbsp Avocado Oil
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°C
Wash and peel the Sweet Potatoes
Cut Sweet Potatoes into ¼” slices
Spread out Sweet Potatoes evenly in a glass baking dish
Coat Sweet Potatoes in Avocado Oil
Sprinkle Cinnamon on Sweet Potatoes and coat evenly
Bake at 400°C for approximately 30 minutes
Note: Sweet potatoes are fully cooked when they feel soft when poked with a fork.
Disclaimer: Vitamin A can be dangerous when taken in supplement form. Talk to your Naturopathic Doctor if you are considering taking Vitamin A as a supplement to determine if it is right for you. Consumption of Vitamin A from foods is a safer way to get your Recommended Daily Intake.
Questions about how to support your health goals using food? Schedule your Complementary Discovery Session here and we'll chat all about it!