Holidays are more fun when we can enjoy eating tasty dishes without worrying about the calories we consume. We chose a recipe that combines the guilt-free goodness and nourishment found in sweet potatoes and cinnamon.

Sweet potatoes, especially those with the orange-colored flesh, are highly nutritious vegetables rich in vitamin A in the form of beta carotene, which promotes healthy skin and eyesight and boosts the immune system. They are low in calories and rich in fiber, and contain essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, as well as calcium, iron, magneisum, phosphorus, folate and zinc. They can be best eaten and enjoyed when baked, roasted, or boiled. Cinnamon, on the other hand, contains cinnamaldehyde, which is known to lower blood sugar and cholesterol and has antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Amy Stockert, an associate professor of biochemistry at Ohio Northern University showed in her 2012 research that people who consumed 1 gram of cinnamon a day experienced blood sugar reductions. She recommended adding cinnamon, even in smaller quantities, when cooking and seasoning.

Here’s a suggested, easy-to-do holiday side dish: Sweet potatoes and pecans in honey cinnamon

Ingredients:

2 medium sized sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teasppon pepper
1⁄4 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

a) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
b) Combine the cinnamon, honey, olive oil, salt, pepper, chopped pecans in a bowl. Toss with the sweet
potatoes.
b) Line a baking sheet with foil, and spread out the sweet potatoes.
c) Bake for about 25-30 minutes, flipping the potatoes halfway through baking.
d) Top the sweet potatoes with chopped pecans.

References:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-pros-and-cons-of-root-vegetables. Accessed on 3
October 2018.
https://www.longevitylive.com/nutrition-body/healthy-eating/5-healthy-reasons-eat-sweet-potato/.
Accessed on 3 October 2018.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/can-everyday-spices-make-you-healthier. Accessed on 24
September 2018.
http://time.com/4751426/why-cinnamon-is-insanely-good-for-you/. Accessed on 24 September 2018.
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/sweet-potatoes/.