Be The Weight You Want | Weight Loss Journey

A subject I never thought about was white potatoes vs sweet potatoes.  And now I find out that yams and sweet potatoes are not the same.  I always thought that white potatoes being starchy it would follow that sweet potatoes are sugary.  I got an education. I have discovered that sweet potatoes contain lots of good fiber.  Look at this comparison:

• 1cup baked potato =26.3g carbs & 1.83g fiber =24.47 net carbs
• 1cup sweet potato (cubed, raw) = 41.83g carbs & 6.15g fiber =35.68 net carbs

Sweet potatoes clearly have more carbs, but a lower glycemic index. What this translates to is: eat a baked sweet potato instead of a baked white potato, and your blood sugar will rise about 30 percent less! Plus, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene and vitamin C. For candied the sweet potatoes try this: cut up the potato, use the no sugar added crushed pineapple, sugar substitute – Xylitol is my pick because it does not have the bad side effects other substitutes can have, apple chunks with the skin on, and a little bit of brown sugar.  Top it off with sprinkles of cinnamon powder and pecans.  Leave off the marshmallows. While some people do not want sweet potatoes unless they are ‘candied’, the baked sweet potato is really good.  I love them topped with brown sugar and butter. I didn’t say that, did I?  OK, I do love them that way.  This holiday I used ‘I can’t believe its not butter‘ one time and butter buds the next.  Both were good.  Instead of brown sugar, I used a English toffee flavored powder .  That sweet potato was delicious!  Best of all, I can wrap it in cellophane, pop it in the microwave for about 5-7 minutes, and it is ready to eat.  Great for a weekly treat. Sweet potato pie is a traditional holiday desert.  You can adjust the recipe in the same way as the recipes above. I even found a recipe for sweet potato salad at All Recipes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 sweet potato, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
• 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup light sour cream
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon curry powder, or to taste
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

1. Mix the green onions, celery, and cilantro with the potatoes. Pour the dressing over the potato mixture, and toss to evenly coat vegetables. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors blend.
2. To make the dressing, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and curry powder in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Place potatoes in two separate saucepans and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn heat to medium-low. Cover, and cook until tender but still firm, 12 to 14 minutes for sweet potatoes, and 10 to 12 minutes for white potatoes. Drain and place in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with vinegar, and cool.

Whether you say potato or potahto, sweet potatoes are a good treat for your eating plan. What is your favorite recipe for sweet potatoes?  Share it with us.  Leave a comment.