Not just for Holidays

When most of us think about sweet potatoes, it is usually in regard to planning the Thanksgiving or holiday menu.They are traditionally served in a casserole called "candied" sweet potatoes.One would never guess from the name "sweet potato", that they are actually good for diabetics, and one of the most nutritious vegetables that any of us could ever eat. They are a distant relative of the potato, and not to be confused with yams.Learn more about this fascinating vegetable at the following address:http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=64

This root vegetable qualifies as an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), a very good source of vitamin C and manganese, and a good source of copper, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron.Recently the sweet potato received classification as an "antidiabetic" food. Sweet potato has been given this label because of some recent animal studies in which sweet potato helped stabilize blood sugar levels and lowered insulin resistance.

Sweet potatoes already taste like dessert without adding anything. They are readily available in your local produce section and easy on your budget.Next time you shop, pick some up and try baking them as you would a regular potato, serve with a dollop of cinnamon butter for a nutritious, delicious and filling accompaniment to your main dish.Southern cooks use them in various ways all year round, not the least of which, they are famous for, sweet potato pie.

If you don't already use them in your meal planning, add sweet potatoes to your shopping list, and make them a regular part of your healthy diet.