Sweet potatoes. So sweet, so comforting… definitely not keto, but I love them anyway. I know, I’m such a hypocrite.
Let me tell you this straight: I absolutely adore sweet potatoes. They’re cozy, delicious, and most importantly, hormonal powerhouses. Especially if you're a busy, tired parent who’s been living off cold leftovers since pregnancy, you need sweet potatoes in your life.
Why do I rave about them? First off, they’re loaded with fibre, which helps if you struggle with digestion. They’re also rich in beta carotene, which your body turns into vitamin E, brilliant for skin and immunity. Think of all those random winter colds, this is nature’s backup plan.
But beyond the basics, sweet potatoes are strategic healing fuel for your hormonal system. If your hormones are throwing tantrums, male or female, sweet potatoes are here to help. They’re high in potassium, one of the most underrated minerals. Potassium helps your body make progesterone, the calming, feel-good hormone that improves sleep, lifts your mood, and keeps you sane when the monthly chaos rolls in.
They also support your adrenal glands. Translation: they help you feel less burned out. No more wired-but-tired drama. And they’re complex carbs, which means they help lower cortisol, the stress hormone. Lower cortisol = better balance between oestrogen and progesterone. The result? More energy, better sleep, a more interested libido, and fewer emotional meltdowns at 3pm.
At 47, thanks to my keto lifestyle, I don’t suffer from mood swings but running businesses and raising a nine-year-old solo still drains me. If you’re constantly exhausted, anxious, or riding the hormonal rollercoaster, sweet potatoes are your dinner plate ally.
Now, let’s talk carbs. Yes, sweet potatoes are full of them, a medium one contains 20-25g of net carbs. So, if you're strict keto, they might be off the table. But if you're doing low carb, prioritising hormones over weight loss, or adding intentional carbs to your life, sweet potatoes absolutely belong on your plate.
What are intentional carbs? That’s when you eat carbs on purpose. Before your period, when your body needs them to make progesterone. Or when your sleep is broken, complex carbs help make serotonin and melatonin, both of which calm your brain and support better sleep.
But don’t eat them alone. Even good carbs can spike your blood sugar when eaten on their own. That’s why I recommend having them at the end of a meal, after your protein, fat, and fibre. This helps your body absorb the carbs gently, avoiding that sugar spike-crash-regret cycle. And be mindful with portions, too much can cause bloating and gas. Not cute.
Should they be organic? Sweet potatoes aren’t on the Dirty Dozen list, so they’re not the worst offenders. But since they grow underground, they can absorb pesticides. If you can go organic, great. If not, wash them well and don’t stress, good food is good food.
How do I eat them? My go-to: roasted with avocado oil. Pure heaven. One of my friends once served them mashed with cinnamon and olive oil, it tasted like a warm hug. Honestly, I could eat them every day.
So here’s the wrap-up: sweet potatoes aren’t the enemy. They’re your hormonal ally. If you’ve ever felt guilty for eating them, stop. They’re affordable, nutrient-rich, and they support your beautifully busy life.
And if you feel like you need an extra helping hand hormonally, we’ve got you: Our hormone complex with maca, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, plus essential vitamins and minerals.
Also, tell me how you cook sweet potatoes, I’m always up for a new adventure. Until next time, eat mindfully, love your body, and take care of you.
-- Written by Hala Ali, founder of Dietapplements
