Standard potatoes may be tasty but they contain a lot of carbohydrates and can actually increase your blood pressure, especially if you eat them several times a week. You may think that steering clear of unhealthy potato recipes – such as chips – is the best option, but spuds aren’t great for you even without adding fat and sugar into the mix.
Luckily, there is a way to enjoy all of your favorite potato recipes in a healthier way. Sweet potatoes are tasty and are also better for you, providing the perfect alternative. They contain high amounts of fibre, a lot of potassium – which lowers blood pressure – and a huge amount of vitamin A.
Here are some great ideas for sweet potato meals that will have you swapping your spuds for these orange alternatives:
Oven-baked wedges
Swap your french fries for something healthier by baking sweet potato wedges in the oven. Simply peel your sweet potatoes and cut them into wedges before popping them on a baking tray. Add a splash of oil and a pinch of salt and then put them in the oven and baking until crispy. You can also add things like garlic and herbs for some extra flavor.
Roasted sweet potatoes
Whether you’re having a roast dinner or simply need something to add to your salad, roasted sweet potatoes are a great choice. Peel and chop your potatoes before parboiling them until they are just soft – this will take less time than with white potatoes.
Toss the potatoes in a splash of oil and roast until the outsides are brown and crispy. Serve them up with meat and gravy or combine with lettuce, red peppers and goat cheese for a tasty light meal. You can even enjoy them cold so don’t worry about leftovers.
Healthy crisps
Don’t reach for a bag of fatty and salty crisps when you need a snack. Instead, make yourself some tasty sweet potato crisps that have fewer calories and will keep you feeling full. Slice your peeled sweet potatoes thinly – this is easier if you’re using a mandolin slicer – and place on greaseproof paper laid on a baking tray.
Sprinkle some coconut oil over the slices and add a sprinkle of salt or spices – you can add almost any flavor – before baking until the slices crisp up. Allow to cool and then pop them in a bowl or handy sandwich bags to enjoy on the go.
Hash browns
Whether you want a filling breakfast or a nice side for your dinner, sweet potato hash browns are a tasty option.
Grate or spiralize peeled sweet potato and onion before mixing them in a bowl with some salt, pepper and whisked eggs. Form the mixture into patties and place on a baking tray. Grill them until crispy and then flip them to crisp up the other side.
You can also fry them in a small amount of oil, flipping part way, but this isn’t as healthy an option.
