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Sweet Potatoes on cutting board.

Sweet Potatoes

Quick Facts

Vegetable Type: Root
Scientific Name: Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.
Seasonality: Fall
Nutrients: Calcium, fiber, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C
Flavor: Sweet & nutty
Complementary Flavors: Cinnamon or thyme
Quick Cooking Tip: Softening sweet potatoes can take time. A fast method is to boil large chunks in water for about 20 minutes, or until they’re easily pierced with a fork.
Cost: $*
*from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$)

Hands holding a basket of sweet potatoes.

6 Reasons to Eat Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are healthy for most people and offer a wide range of benefits due to their vitamin, fiber, and antioxidant content.

FULL ARTICLE

Sweet Potato Recipes

Pair sweet potatoes with various ingredients and flavor profiles for the perfect dish!
Health benefits of sweet potatoes.

Culinary Tips and Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

Learn all about sweet potatoes, including their health benefits and which cooking method is best for preserving nutrients.

FULL ARTICLE
Sweet potato health benefits.

Health Benefits

  • Good for Cognition
  • Promote Gut Health
  • Can Help Improve Vision
  • Reduce Inflammation in the Body
  • Can Help Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe

Making Sweet Potatoes Kid-Friendly

Try this recipe for mashed sweet potatoes—a delicious alternative to regular mashed potatoes that kids will love!

FULL RECIPE

Sweet Potatoes Make a Great Recovery Food

If you are an athlete, you should consider integrating sweet potatoes into your diet. They are a great recovery food because they help restore muscle glycogen and provide nutrients to heal damaged tissues.

sweet potato egg bites finished on cooling rack

Leftover Life Hack

Have extra sweet potatoes you don’t want to waste? Cube them up and add them to this Sweet Potato & Kale Egg Muffin recipe.

FULL RECIPE

Sustainability Tip

Making mashed sweet potatoes? Save time, reduce food waste, and increase your nutrient intake by leaving the skins on. Just make sure you thoroughly wash them off before boiling or steaming. Enjoy the nutritional benefits that the entire sweet potato has to offer!

Resources

The information above was compiled with help from the following sources.
Isabella Mead Headshot

Isabella Mead

Assistant Project Manager,
The Paleo Diet

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USDA

Online Resource

Physiological Reviews replacement logo.

Physiological Reviews

Scientific Journal

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Food & Nutrition Research

Scientific Journal

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Griffin McMath

Chief Content Officer,
The Paleo Diet

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