Sweet potato is a tuber consumed in different ways, mainly for the benefits that food can bring to the body. Those who are on a diet, for example, usually consume it before exercise, because it is a good source of energy.
Even for those who are not on a diet, it may make sense to fit the sweet potato into everyday food because of other benefits for the body. And it can be cooked and served in puree, baked or even fried.
By virtue of the various ways of cooking and preparing this food, it can often appear in meals and you can take advantage of all its nutrients. It confers below what are the benefits for those who want to insert the tuber in the diet.
4 sweet potato benefits
Sweet potatoes have several benefits such as:
- power source;
- increased muscle mass;
- improves the functioning of the intestine;
- Helps the immune system and fights diabetes.
Check below on them:
1. Power source
Sweet potato is a great food to provide energy before physical activities. As this tuber is a source of carbohydrates, those who will practice exercises can ingest it to have greater endurance and be able to prolong training.
In addition, food helps in controlling satiety, since it is a food that can inhibit hunger for longer. In this way, those who want to lose weight should also add food to everyday meals.
It is worth remembering that, like other foods that have nutrients and vitamins, sweet potatoes, when consumed in excess, can contribute to weight gain. You should therefore balance their consumption with that of other foods. Talk to a nutritionist to clarify your doubts in detail.
2. Increased muscle mass
For those who want to gain muscle mass, regular continuous exercises are the best way to achieve your goals. It is necessary a disciplinary routine for the musculature to become strong and resistant. As a way to complement workouts, sweet potato helps to increase muscle mass.
The growth of muscles depends on proteins and also on carbohydrates, a substance present in sweet potatoes. Before doing intense exercises, this tuber can be ingested alone or in other ways, particularly in salads.
3. Improves bowel function
Weight loss can be linked to various processes done by our body in a natural way, including bowel activity. To improve its operation, some experts indicate sweet potato as a great ally.
The presence of sweet potato fibers ensures that the intestine absorbs the nutrients that help in the control and balance of the region. The substances in this tuber can also help in preventing discomfort, such as stomach pains.
4. Helps the immune system and fights diabetes
The benefits of Sweet potatoes go far beyond issues related to muscle mass gain and weight loss. Vitamins A and C are present in this tuber. The first is responsible for renewing the cells that make up our body, while the second allows the cells not to suffer oxidation and end up dying.
Generally speaking, sweet potatoes strengthen the immune system, allowing the body to fight possible infections and other diseases. The action of free radicals can harm the cells and the presence of potato vitamins strengthen the system.
Sweet potatoes can also help in the control of glycemia and favor diabetic individuals. This is because this food, rich in carbohydrates, helps control blood sugar by decreasing possible blood glucose spikes.
Does sweet potatoes help with weight loss?
Sweet potatoes contribute to weight loss, provided that it is ingested in a balanced way and with a physical exercise routine. If in doubt, talk to experts to understand how this food can help you in the best way.
How to add sweet potatoes in meals?
In cooking, there are different recipes that can be made to take advantage of the vitamins and minerals of sweet potatoes. In this way, the tuber can be part of meals in different parts of the day, contributing to a greater absorption of all its nutrients.
However, we do not always have time to prepare elaborate meals that combine the benefits of different foods. Because of this, healthy fast food is a way out for those looking to eat well, but do not want to resort to restaurants with greasy options.
Get to know cheeky leeks’ menu and try the best veggie burgers in Portugal. Sweet potatoes are part of our artisanrecipes and provide excellent dishes.
Our restaurant was born with the aim of promoting healthy eating, respecting the environment and valuing all the nutrients of vegetables and vegetables that we include in our recipes.
Visit our website and know the best selection of burgers and vegetarian dishes. You can receive our meals on the doorstep, tasty and healthy. Enjoy!
Is boiled sweet potatoes the best option?
The water and peel of the potato help to protect the taste, but also preserve the nutrients present in the tuber. Thus, this is the ideal preparation mode for those who want to take advantage of the vitamins present in sweet potatoes.
In everyday consumption of boiled potatoes can be made in the form of puree, salads or cubed. The addition of sauces and other side dishes should be done carefully so as not to affect the benefits of the food and make it too caloric.
Another way to take advantage of all the benefits of sweet potatoes is to bake the vegetable to preserve the nutritional elements.
How do you prepare the sweet potato in your house? Tell us in the comments.
