Sweet potatoes are not to be confused yams. They have been grown for thousands of years. They are thought to have originated from Central and South America. North Carolina is the country’s largest sweet potato producer.
Sweet potatoes have many health benefits that can be easily added to your diet.
There are over 400 sweet potato varieties in the world. The orange-fleshed sweet potato is the most popular, but there are also beautiful purple sweet potatoes. Carbohydrates make up the majority of sweet potatoes. Starch is the main source of carbs, followed closely by fiber. Although this root vegetable is low in protein, it’s still a good source of protein in many developing countries.
Did you know that sweet potatoes are considered a superfood? A sweet potato’s nutritional profile is quite robust. Here are some of the health benefits.
- This is one of the best natural sources of antioxidant beta-carotene. A single cup contains 43 percent of your daily vitamin A requirements and only 102 calories.
- They also provide excellent sources of vitamins C, B5, B6, and B6
- You can supply a variety of minerals, including manganese, potassium, and calcium.
- Four grams of both insoluble and soluble fiber is recommended, which equals 14% of the daily recommended intake.
Sweet potatoes are one of the best whole-food sources for potassium. Every cell in our bodies needs it. Remember that the sweetness of a sweet potato’s nutrition is directly related to its color. Purple sweet potatoes are healthier than those with more orange or yellow flesh.
However, sweet potatoes can have high glycemic loads and glycemic index when prepared and cooked in certain ways. This is important to remember if you are diabetic or have to limit your carb and/or sugar intake.
People love sweet potato candied around holidays. They are filled with butter, brown sugar, marshmallows, sweeteners, and other fats. They are sweet by nature, which is why they are called “sweet” potatoes. They are sweetened by heat so they can be cooked to bring out their inherent sweetness without adding sugars. These are healthy and creative ways to make sweet potatoes delicious.
Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
In a steamer fitted with a lid, bring lightly salted water to boil. Cover two medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced, in a steamer basket. Steam for 10 minutes or until tender. Once the sweet potatoes are tender, mix 1/2 teaspoon garam masala with a tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.
Roasted Purple Sweet Potato Wedges
Turn the oven on to 400°F. Two medium-sized purple sweet potatoes and three large carrots should be cut into pieces measuring one by two inches. One tablespoon of fresh rosemary and one tablespoon of thyme can be chopped. Place potatoes, carrots and rosemary in a large bowl. Add four tablespoons of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, and one teaspoon coarse salt. Spread the purple sweet potatoes, carrots and rosemary on a cookie sheet. Roast for 45 minutes. You can serve the sweet potatoes and carrots warm or as a side dish.
Spicy Sweet Potato Chips
Preheat oven to 450°F. Aluminum foil can be used to line a baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine two tablespoons olive oils, two tablespoons maple sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Spread the maple syrup mixture on three large sweet potato slices and place them on the baking sheet. Salt and pepper to your liking. Bake for 8 minutes in a preheated oven. Turn the potato slices over and brush with the maple mixture. Continue baking until the potatoes are tender and crisp around the edges, approximately seven more minutes.
Baked Sweet Potato
Baking sweet potatoes is one of the best ways to serve them. Use a fork to poke holes in the sweet potato. Place the mixture on a baking sheet and bake for approximately an hour at 400°. You’ve got a super side!
Sweet Potato Soup
A warming soup is the best comfort food. This one has autumn flavors. In olive oil, saute one medium-sized onion along with two cloves garlic. Next, add a pinch of cinnamon, chili powder and nutmeg. Finally, add two large, diced sweet potatoes. Stir in four cups of broth, water and potatoes. Let it simmer for 40 minutes. Blend in a blender.
Sweet potatoes are not only for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sweet potatoes are readily available throughout the year and offer many health benefits. You can add them to your regular meal plan for added variety and color. Sweet potatoes can be added to many recipes as an addition. Sweet potatoes can be tossed in a salad or used as an addition to one-pan poultry dishes. They can also be roasted with other vegetables in an oven mix.
Edited by Maria Pietromonaco
Alternative Medicine Magazine published the article A Thanksgiving Superfood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who uses alternative medicine instead of traditional medicine?
People use alternative medicine for many reasons:
- They want to avoid harmful drugs and surgery.
- They believe natural remedies work better.
- They prefer noninvasive treatments.
- They want less money.
- They feel more at ease using natural products
- They desire more control over their healthcare decisions.
- They want to be responsible for their health.
- They seek a more healthy environment.
- They want less stress in their lives.
- They desire greater control over their doctors and their healthcare plans.
- They want their child to receive a better educational experience.
- They desire healthy food for their families and themselves.
- They seek safe, effective medicines.
What are alternatives to medicine?
Alternative medicine is any treatment that isn’t considered medically necessary to treat disease. These include traditional Chinese medicine and homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture and herbal medicines, nutritional therapy, energy healing techniques, such as Reiki, and acupuncture.
Alternative medicine may also include practices that are not supported by scientific evidence but have been used with great success in clinical practice. You can use meditation, hypnosis and yoga to achieve this.
Can a holistic doctor write prescriptions?
Holistic medicine is based upon the belief that all diseases can be caused by a combination factors. This includes diet, lifestyle, environment stress, stress, emotions, genetics and other health-related issues.
These factors are important to consider when prescribing medications. This is part of a balanced approach to treating patients.
To fully grasp the effect of each factor on a patient, a physician must have a good understanding of both modern science as well traditional methods such a homeopathy or herbs.
Many doctors are certified to practice complementary and alternative medicine (C&A). This allows them offer a wide range of services to patients.
Why is alternative medicine important
Alternative medicines are more popular than traditional ones because they’re usually cheaper and healthier. However, there have been many cases where patients have died after taking these treatments, sometimes due to side effects such as allergic reactions. There are also alternatives that may be more effective.
If you don’t understand enough about alternative medications, it can make your choice difficult. Vitamin supplements, for instance, aren’t controlled like pharmaceuticals. This makes it easy to take too many vitamins. Worse, alternative remedies may contain toxic chemicals.
Is holistic medical legitimate?
Yes, and no. Yes. Many medicines have been shown to be effective against different ailments. No, because they don’t cure everything. It all depends on your definition of “holistic.” It depends on what you mean when you use the term “holistic”.
Some people believe holistic medicine dates back to ancient times. This is false. Although natural remedies were used by some healers in ancient Egypt and Rome, they were not scientifically backed.
It was not until the Middle Ages when medical practitioners began to study anatomy & physiology. This led directly to the development surgery, obstetrics, pharmacology, and a host of other medical specialties. The majority of Western countries had built public hospitals by the 19th century that allowed trained doctors to offer medical care.
Conventional medicine is still the most popular form of healthcare today. Many people still prefer to utilize complementary and alternate medicine. Many people find that it is more beneficial than taking pharmaceutical drugs.
For example, some people feel more relaxed after receiving massage therapy rather than taking tranquilizers. Some people enjoy healthy eating and avoid prescription medications. Others still believe that regular exercise improves their bodies’ performance.
Why do people with cancer use alternative methods?
Patients with cancer face many difficulties when trying to manage their illness. Many patients feel defeated and hopeless. Some symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headaches, weight loss, and fatigue.
Additionally, most traditional treatments do not work against cancer cells. Therefore, cancer patients seek other therapies, such as complementary medicine. Research shows that nearly half of patients have used alternative medicine at least once in their treatment.
Cancer patients sometimes choose complementary medicine instead of chemotherapy because they think it will be easier to handle side effects. They might also prefer it for its lower cost.
The following are other reasons:
Some patients believe natural remedies could prevent a return of the disease.
Many people believe natural remedies are a way to improve your quality of life.
Some believe natural remedies can lower the chance of developing cancer again.
Natural remedies are first-line therapy for those who are concerned about side effects from chemotherapy.
Statistics
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING and TENSION-TYPE HeADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Effects of Foot Reflexology on Depression and Hospital Anxiety in Older Females: A Randomized Controlled Study – PubMed
cam.cancer.gov
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- A sociological perspective on the rise and fall of complementary and alternate medicine – PubMed
- PubMed: Holistic medicine – PubMed
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine – A systematic review of randomized controlled trials involving acupuncture for insomnia treatment
How To
What is it that holistic doctors do that traditional doctors don’t?
A holistic doctor is able to provide more services than traditional doctors, such as nutritionists, massage therapists and naturopaths.
Holistic doctors look at patients holistically. It is a way to address the root cause of health issues, not just the symptoms. This approach helps them identify underlying causes and work towards long-term wellness and preventative measures. Holistic doctors employ natural remedies, such as essential oils and herbs, to treat illness. They offer nutritional and dietary advice to help you live a healthy lifestyle.
Holistic doctors also offer therapies such as acupuncture and reflexology, reiki or shiatsu, yoga, meditation or craniosacral treatment, as well as hypnotherapy and hypnotherapy.
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This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: Dick Benson
Title: A Thanksgiving Superfood
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/nutrition/a-thanksgiving-superfood/
Published Date: Mon, 07 Nov 2022 21:13:08 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
Who uses alternative medicine instead of traditional medicine?
People use alternative medicine for many reasons:
- They want to avoid harmful drugs and surgery.
- They believe natural remedies work better.
- They prefer noninvasive treatments.
- They want less money.
- They feel more at ease using natural products
- They desire more control over their healthcare decisions.
- They want to be responsible for their health.
- They seek a more healthy environment.
- They want less stress in their lives.
- They desire greater control over their doctors and their healthcare plans.
- They want their child to receive a better educational experience.
- They desire healthy food for their families and themselves.
- They seek safe, effective medicines.
What are alternatives to medicine?
Alternative medicine is any treatment that isn’t considered medically necessary to treat disease. These include traditional Chinese medicine and homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture and herbal medicines, nutritional therapy, energy healing techniques, such as Reiki, and acupuncture.
Alternative medicine may also include practices that are not supported by scientific evidence but have been used with great success in clinical practice. You can use meditation, hypnosis and yoga to achieve this.
Can a holistic doctor write prescriptions?
Holistic medicine is based upon the belief that all diseases can be caused by a combination factors. This includes diet, lifestyle, environment stress, stress, emotions, genetics and other health-related issues.
These factors are important to consider when prescribing medications. This is part of a balanced approach to treating patients.
To fully grasp the effect of each factor on a patient, a physician must have a good understanding of both modern science as well traditional methods such a homeopathy or herbs.
Many doctors are certified to practice complementary and alternative medicine (C&A). This allows them offer a wide range of services to patients.
Why is alternative medicine important
Alternative medicines are more popular than traditional ones because they’re usually cheaper and healthier. However, there have been many cases where patients have died after taking these treatments, sometimes due to side effects such as allergic reactions. There are also alternatives that may be more effective.
If you don’t understand enough about alternative medications, it can make your choice difficult. Vitamin supplements, for instance, aren’t controlled like pharmaceuticals. This makes it easy to take too many vitamins. Worse, alternative remedies may contain toxic chemicals.
Is holistic medical legitimate?
Yes, and no. Yes. Many medicines have been shown to be effective against different ailments. No, because they don’t cure everything. It all depends on your definition of “holistic.” It depends on what you mean when you use the term “holistic”.
Some people believe holistic medicine dates back to ancient times. This is false. Although natural remedies were used by some healers in ancient Egypt and Rome, they were not scientifically backed.
It was not until the Middle Ages when medical practitioners began to study anatomy & physiology. This led directly to the development surgery, obstetrics, pharmacology, and a host of other medical specialties. The majority of Western countries had built public hospitals by the 19th century that allowed trained doctors to offer medical care.
Conventional medicine is still the most popular form of healthcare today. Many people still prefer to utilize complementary and alternate medicine. Many people find that it is more beneficial than taking pharmaceutical drugs.
For example, some people feel more relaxed after receiving massage therapy rather than taking tranquilizers. Some people enjoy healthy eating and avoid prescription medications. Others still believe that regular exercise improves their bodies’ performance.
Why do people with cancer use alternative methods?
Patients with cancer face many difficulties when trying to manage their illness. Many patients feel defeated and hopeless. Some symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headaches, weight loss, and fatigue.
Additionally, most traditional treatments do not work against cancer cells. Therefore, cancer patients seek other therapies, such as complementary medicine. Research shows that nearly half of patients have used alternative medicine at least once in their treatment.
Cancer patients sometimes choose complementary medicine instead of chemotherapy because they think it will be easier to handle side effects. They might also prefer it for its lower cost.
The following are other reasons:
Some patients believe natural remedies could prevent a return of the disease.
Many people believe natural remedies are a way to improve your quality of life.
Some believe natural remedies can lower the chance of developing cancer again.
Natural remedies are first-line therapy for those who are concerned about side effects from chemotherapy.
Statistics
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING and TENSION-TYPE HeADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Effects of Foot Reflexology on Depression and Hospital Anxiety in Older Females: A Randomized Controlled Study – PubMed
cam.cancer.gov
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- A sociological perspective on the rise and fall of complementary and alternate medicine – PubMed
- PubMed: Holistic medicine – PubMed
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine – A systematic review of randomized controlled trials involving acupuncture for insomnia treatment
How To
What is it that holistic doctors do that traditional doctors don’t?
A holistic doctor is able to provide more services than traditional doctors, such as nutritionists, massage therapists and naturopaths.
Holistic doctors look at patients holistically. It is a way to address the root cause of health issues, not just the symptoms. This approach helps them identify underlying causes and work towards long-term wellness and preventative measures. Holistic doctors employ natural remedies, such as essential oils and herbs, to treat illness. They offer nutritional and dietary advice to help you live a healthy lifestyle.
Holistic doctors also offer therapies such as acupuncture and reflexology, reiki or shiatsu, yoga, meditation or craniosacral treatment, as well as hypnotherapy and hypnotherapy.
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