In the western culture sweet potatoes are often only eaten during the holidays, however, in the eastern society they are eaten throughout the whole year regularly. When you hear about sweet potatoes you might think about all the talk of sweet potatoes being unhealthy for you, however, Asian sweet potatoes are more nutritious and they help regulate your body’s craving for sweet desserts. Asian sweet potatoes contain a lot more natural sugars so when consumed your body should no longer crave cupcakes or other treats that have synthetic sugars. When you eat foods or products that carry synthetic sugars you are depriving your body from getting natural sugars that are easier to process and flush out. Granted, having too much sugar regardless of whether it is natural or synthetic can be unhealthy, however, natural sugars do not have chemicals so it is easy for your body to digest it. Remember–moderation is key. 

There are a multitude of Asian sweet potatoes such as Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese and much more. These sweet potatoes can be red, yellow, purple and orange just to name a few. Red sweet potatoes slow down the growth of cancer cells as well as help build your immune system. Purple potatoes have the most potent anti-oxidants to help eliminate your chances of cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Sweet potatoes are a great source to improve your gut health in regard to having plenty of fiber to clean your gut and push out unnecessary blockage in your colon. In addition, sweet potatoes have great anti-inflammatory properties that can lower inflammation in the body. According to health.com, ‘low-grade inflammation raises the risk of nearly every chronic disease, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer’.

American sweet potatoes are very commercialized

Most of the sweet potatoes that are harvested in the United States are planted and processed by commercial farms, meaning that fertilizers and soils contain a variety of chemicals. These types of processed items contain chemicals and toxins that your body will digest as you consume. Organic foods are highly recommended to start off on the right track of health and wellness.

Recipe to try: Roasted Baked Potato

1. Add 2-3 oz of water (or bean water/regular broth) inside of an instant pot & place the potatoes on top of the rack provided. Cook on high. 

2. Gently push one stick of cinnamon into each potato (do not eat the cinnamon stick once completed).

3. Continue to replenish the water in the pot until the potato is cooked to your liking

4. Add protein of your choice

5. Stir fry green veggies such as kale, asparagus, brussel sprouts and/or broccoli

6. Add Stone IWC’s meat/original seasoning (no butter/sugar needed).

7. Once your potato is roasted, slice it in half, add the stir fry veggies, and top it off with onion, garlic and shallot