Do you ever feel overwhelmed trying to plan a variety of meals for the week? Not only can it be daunting to shop for a long list of items, but it can also get very expensive very quickly. One solution to this problem is to find a common base that leads to a variety of meals. A perfect option? The sweet potato! Why, you ask??
Financial Value.
At $1.50 per pound, the sweet potato is easy on the wallet. Sweet potatoes are one of the cheapest vegetables on the market. On average it takes about 2 weeks for a sweet potato to go bad, making it something that you won’t end up wasting. This not only means fewer trips to the grocery store for you, but less food waste overall.
Nutritional Value.
The nutritional value makes the sweet potato a standout vegetable. At only 112 calories per sweet potato, these staple vegetables can provide a filling, high- complex carbohydrate, low-calorie option to add to any meal. For those looking to remain in a calorie deficit, the sweet potato is an easy addition. Even for those not looking to remain in a calorie deficit, the sweet potato offers natural health-promoting compounds,
including β‐carotene and anthocyanins increasing the sweet potatoes’ nutritional value.
Variety.
The variety of options-whether you’re looking for sweet or savory, the sweet potato is the answer. The ever-popular avocado toast can be upgraded by substituting standard bread with a sweet potato. Additionally, stuffed sweet potatoes can be made in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, sweet potatoes stuffed with beans, guacamole, and salsa for a nutritional take on a classic Mexican dish. Finally, a sweet potato with cinnamon and Greek yogurt or a little peanut butter is perfect for a high-protein filling snack to satisfy your sweet tooth, as is blended up sweet potato “pudding”!
How else do you incorporate this MV(grocery)P into your meals?? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram – @_GetUpAndDoSomething!
Written by GUADS intern Lauren and edited by GUADS staff member Kate
Celebrate International Picnic Day!