Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Eating - Sweet Potato

The plant family, Convolvulaceae, holds the lineage for the Ipomoea batatas more commonly known as Sweet Potato. The edible tubers come in a range of coloured cultivars with the most recognised being the traditional Orange. Colours also include white, orange, and purple.

A mildly distant relative of the traditional potato. Some areas recognise the potato as a Yam but a true yam is more distinct in appearance than a Sweet Potato. It has also been called Sweet Orange Potato in some Countries.

Sweet Potatoes are native to Mexico through to South America. Its use in America dates back to at least the middle of the 15th Century where the American Indians were recorded as growing them for food.

Columbous brought the Potato back from the West Indies on his first Voyage there. The Spanish were believed to have traded the potatoes with the English where King Henry VIII was known to enjoy them.

The Sweet Potato can be grown Organically and is available from Certified Organic Growers. It has many health benefits and nutritional qualities. The Potatoes are high in Protein, Carbohydrates and Dietary fibre. They are low in Fat and high in Calcium. They are a rich source of Potassium, Phosphorous, Magnesium and Zinc. They contain a natural source of sodium. Vitamins A and C are also dominant.

Sweet Potato contains significant amounts of, Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacin (Vitamin B3), Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5), Vitamin B6, and Folate (Vitamin B9).

• As an extremely useful vegetable, the Sweet potato can be seen as a regular inclusion in many households around the world. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of dishes.

• Roasted with a mixture of traditional potatoes, carrots and onions, the sweet orange potato makes an excellent addition with your favourite piece of roast meat.

• Sweet potato can be used as a replacement to traditional potato or in addition to it. Potato bakes can be made from Sweet potato or layers of a combination of traditional and sweet potato.

• As a vegetable in stews and casseroles sweet potato adds a nutritious filler and extender to boosting quantity and flavour.

• It can make an excellent nutritious substitute to traditional French fries or chips

• The leaves of the plant can also be used, though not as common as the tuber.

In addition to its many uses as a plate vegetable. Sweet orange potato can be found in many Super food powders and Nutritional supplements. It is high in Antioxidant properties and provides much nutrition when taken as a supplement for diets lacking in quality nutritious fruits and vegetables.