Sweet potatoes are one of the many varieties of potato that we have. It comes in different shapes and colors like red, white, yellow, and many more. Although you can’t use the sweet potato for popular dishes like au gratin potatoes, they pair well with many meals. However, a part of sweet potatoes that goes unnoticed is the sweet potato peels. The peels rarely make it to the dinner table. However, there’s a lot of argument going around about their nutrients and the flavor it offers. If you’re wondering if you should eat sweet potato peels, this article holds all the answers you’re looking for.
Health Benefits of the Sweet Potato Peels
Sweet potato skins are edible, and they offer many health benefits that you miss out on when you toss them out. Some of its benefits include:
Highly Nutritious
Like the potatoes used for au gratin potatoes, the sweet potato skins are pretty nutritious. It is low in calories, and a medium-size sweet potato with the skins offers 30 grams of carbs. It also provides 5 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. When you consume sweet potato with the skin, it gives 154% of your daily recommended value of Vitamin A. It also provides 31% of Vitamin C and 15% of potassium’s daily value. Research shows that most of the fiber contained in sweet potatoes lies in the skin. Therefore, every time you toss out the peel, you’re reducing your fiber intake.
High in Fiber
From the list of nutrients above, it’s clear that sweet potato is a top source of fiber. Most of the fiber comes from the peel, and fiber works to increase the feeling of fullness. Fiber is a common nutrient in most potatoes, like the au gratin potatoes. It is excellent at promoting a healthy gut microbiome. Fiber also helps in blood sugar management and will also regulate your cholesterol level. Therefore, when you toss out the sweet potato peels, you miss out on some of these benefits.
Are There Risks Involved in Eating Sweet Potato Skins?
There’s no risk involved in eating the sweet potato skins. You can consume the skin both raw and cooked without any danger to your body. However, it is crucial you thoroughly scrub this root vegetable before you consume it. These potatoes grow in the ground, and you need to get rid of excess dirt, debris, or pesticide clinging on. You can scrub your sweet potato skin with a vegetable brush to make it clean. It comes with tough skins, so there’s no danger of damaging the potato.
