7 Reasons Why You Should Eat More Sweet Potatoes

From delicious creamy fish pie toppings to toast (yes, toast), there are endless uses for sweet potatoes. But, did you know just how good for you they are? Scroll down to find out more about the 7 essential vitamins and minerals in sweet potatoes, and some tasty recipes to get your RDA.

1. Vitamin A

Found in the form of beta-carotene, sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of Vitamin A. In fact, a 200g serving contains 214% of your recommended daily intake.

2. Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6, otherwise known as pyridoxine, plays an essential part in the formation of serotonin, which transmits messages to the brain. B6 is also vital for your body to make new red blood cells. 200g of sweet potato contains 36% of your RDA.

Make Amelia Freer's delicious sweet potato cakes with grilled tiger prawns

3. Potassium

Potassium is vital for a healthy cardiovascular system, and helps regulate our heartbeat. Luckily, a 200g serving of tasty sweet potato contains over a third of your recommended daily amount. Find out more about the signs of a potassium deficiency here.

4. Iron

Iron is a crucial part of every woman's diet: we need it to make red blood cells and prevent anaemia. Luckily, sweet potatoes are a great source of iron. Make sweet potato fries to accompany a delicious steak for a double-hit of iron goodness.

5. Manganese

Not to be confused with magnesium, manganese is one of the less well-known trace minerals. But, it's still essential for a healthy diet. Manganese plays a whole host of essential roles in our body: it makes connective tissue and forms sex hormoes to name just two.

Try these delicious sweet potato brownies and get your vit-fix for dessert!

6. Copper

Copper isn't a mineral you hear about every day, but it's essential for our overall health and wellbeing. It helps form collagen, which as we all know is essential for keeping our skin plump and youthful.

7. Vitamin C

Did you know that sweet potatoes are a brilliant source of vitamin C? We need vitamin C for the growth and repair of all tissues in the body. Try a baked sweet potato with a delicious salad for a big-hit of vitamin C.

Make a classic sweet potato mash with this simple recipe