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The sweet potato is a modest root vegetable and is usually one of the last veggies that come to mind when you hear the phrase "eat your vegetables". Typically people associate vegetables with being leafy or green, but did you know the sweet potato is one of the most nutritious vegetables you can eat?

The sweet potato is a versatile vegetable that is chock full of nutrients, fiber and antioxidants. Its orange goodness is also an excellent source of vitamins A and C; it also contains significant levels of vitamin E.

In addition to these important and necessary vitamins, the sweet potato possesses many other beneficial nutrition values. Like carrots, the sweet potato in all of its orange glory is loaded with high levels of beta carotene which is also good for your health. Additionally, sweet potatoes provide solid amounts of dietary fiber which help keep your digestive system running smoothly.

According to the US Department of Agriculture one sweet potato contains approximately 140 calories, 3 grams of protein, 31.5 grams of carbohydrate, 3.9 grams of fiber and .39 grams of fat. For vitamins A singular sweet potato contains the fantastic level of 29.5 mg of vitamin A, 1.4 mg of vitamin E and 26 mg of vitamin C. It also contains zero levels of cholesterol, 4 mg of calcium, .7 mg of iron, 508 mg of potassium, .11 mg thiamine, .19 mg riboflavin and 1 mg of niacin.

There are many other health advantages associated with including sweet potatoes in your regular diet because they are low in sodium, fat, and calories. When you combine these factors with all the vitamins and nutrients you can receive, you can easily see what a wonderful vegetable the sweet potato is and how it is a food which is of high value to your health.

When you look at all of the nutritional benefits the sweet potato offers it is not too shabby for one serving of a vegetable! As you can see, sweet potatoes are loaded in many of the dietary items which are recommended for daily intake. With all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals contained in a single sweet potato, it is no wonder that eating this flavorful vegetable on a regular basis is so good for you and adds value to your healthy being. Not to mention it tastes good too!

Eating a diet which contains regular servings of sweet potatoes has also been linked to the reduction of some health problems. For instance it is connected with decreased risk of developing some kinds of cancer, inflammation in the colon, stomach ulcers, keeping blood pressure levels low, and can even help with acne.

Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, which makes for a great flavor. You can bake, fly, boil and even wrap them in foil and toss them on the grill; there are many assorted ways you can incorporate sweet potatoes into your daily diet and routine without eating the same dish every day. One of the other benefits of sweet potatoes is that they go great mixed with a variety of foods or other spices to give it a distinctive taste.

As you can see there are many ways you can prepare sweet potatoes and find a variety of ways to include them in your regular diet. If you are looking to improve and/or maintain your health, sweet potatoes are a valuable addition to your daily food intake.

Learn more about this author, Leigh Goessl.
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