More than just a tasty holiday meal side dish, sweet potatoes are actually extremely nutritious. Particularly for those in their golden years, essential minerals and vitamins are jam-packed into every one of these root vegetables.
If you are at retirement age and up, here are the best reasons we can think of for adding sweet potatoes to your menu.
Arthritis Pain May Be Soothed
Sweet potatoes contain vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, and beta-carotene. Arthritis symptoms, in part, may be relieved through eating sweet potatoes.
Fun fact: Consider boiling your sweet potatoes if you or a loved one has joint pain. Here’s why. Reportedly, arthritis pain may actually be eased by rubbing the water used to boil the sweet potatoes on stiff joints. Naturally, you’ll want to wait until the water cools a bit.
Healthy for Your Eyes
Once again, beta-carotene can be found in these rich vegetables. Cataracts and macular degeneration may be slowed through the intake of beta-carotene. It is also useful in preventing certain eye conditions, thanks to the nutrient vitamin A. With enough beta-carotene in your diet, dry eyes, night blindness, and more might be avoided, as well as certain eye infections.
Heart Health Promoters
Significant levels of potassium can be found in sweet potatoes. In your body’s cells, you can better maintain proper electrolyte and fluid levels with enough potassium. It also helps maintain normal heart function and blood pressure. If you’re not strengthening your heart by staying physically active, you may find particular benefits through eating sweet potatoes.
For a Healthy Digestive Tract – Sweet Potatoes
Especially the skins, but the entire sweet potato, is a fantastic source of fiber. To prevent colon cancer and relieve constipation, retirees’ diets should all contain enough fiber. Want to stay regular? This is one tasty way to do so.
Immune System Boosting
To defend against illnesses, immune systems tend to work less effectively as you age. But, to fight infection, you can increase your body’s T cells through the beta-carotene found in sweet potatoes. Also considered immunity boosters, you’ll find phosphorus, iron, vitamin B, and vitamin C in sweet potatoes.
Are Sweet Potatoes on the Menu at Our Retirement Community? Ask the Chef!
When you reside in our retirement community, you will have the option to enjoy nutritious and delicious meals served in a fine dining atmosphere. Whenever possible, our chef uses the absolute freshest ingredients. Imaginative dishes are always tasty and intriguing. Will a meal here and there contain sweet potatoes? Why not let our chef know how much you like them, and see how often you can enjoy them? Any other dietary requests and/or restrictions should also be brought to the attention of our kitchen/food prep team. To find out what we are truly all about, schedule a tour of our community. We will be happy to be your guide and show you all that we have to offer to our residents.
