Discovering NC Agriculture is a year-long series focusing on twelve N.C. grown, raised, caught, and made commodities. Tune in each month to see how an N.C. commodity is grown, harvested, packed for consumer use and more. Learn nutritional value, find fun recipes to try, hear from local chefs who use that product, and other unique commodity facts throughout the series. We look forward to helping you better understand some of our N.C. commodities and how they impact your everyday lives!
Have you ever wondered what’s inside an N.C. sweet potato?
Sweet potatoes are well known for their nutritional content, especially if eaten with the skin. We sat down with NCDA&CS Nutrition Marketing Specialist Freda Butner to learn more about these vegetables and how they benefit our bodies!
“Sweet potatoes are a highly nutritious root vegetable plentiful in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are especially rich in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that the body converts to vitamin A, supporting vision, immune and skin health. One medium sweet potato provides 120% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin A. It’s best to eat it with the skin for maximum nutrition and a little fat, or include it in the same meal, for better absorption. They are also a source of manganese, potassium, vitamin K, and fiber, which contribute to overall wellness and gut health.
Their vibrant orange, purple, and white-fleshed types offer unique phytonutrients – such as anthocyanins in the purple variety – that have been shown to reduce inflammation and protect against chronic diseases. Unlike white potatoes, sweet potatoes are a complex carbohydrate. This means the carbs are released gradually during digestion, providing a steady source of energy —no sugar highs or lows to worry about. Because they also contain B vitamins, iron, calcium, and even protein, sweet potatoes are considered a valuable component of a balanced diet. As a registered dietitian, it’s not proper for me to identify one perfect food –but if asked, I would characterize sweet potatoes as coming pretty close!”
Enjoy local sweet potatoes from a farmer near you this week and experience some of these benefits for yourself!
