Sweet potatoes are one of the most common and popular foods in our daily life. Among the various ways to eat sweet potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes are especially favored. Not only are sweet potatoes a healthy food, but they are also a good remedy for certain illnesses. However, many people are unaware that there are certain rules to follow when eating sweet potatoes. The following are some common mistakes in eating sweet potatoes that are not beneficial to our health.
1. Do not eat the skin when roasting sweet potatoes.
It is best not to eat the skin of roasted sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes contaminated with black spot disease cannot be easily identified after roasting, so any sweet potatoes with black spots or burnt parts should not be consumed as they may cause poisoning. Furthermore, street vendors usually roast sweet potatoes using charcoal, which produces harmful substances such as sulfur dioxide when burned. Eating too many sweet potatoes from street vendors is not good for our health.
2. Do not eat rotten sweet potatoes.
Do not eat sweet potatoes with black spots or sprouts, as they can potentially cause poisoning.
3. Sweet potatoes should not be consumed raw.
The starch granules in sweet potatoes are difficult to digest without high-temperature destruction. Sweet potatoes contain an oxidase enzyme that can produce a large amount of carbon dioxide gas in the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause bloating, belching, and flatulence if consumed in excess.
4. Avoid eating sweet potatoes on an empty stomach.
Eating sweet potatoes on an empty stomach can cause symptoms such as acid reflux and heartburn. This is because sweet potatoes themselves contain relatively high carbohydrates and have a certain sweetness, which increases the likelihood of acid reflux.
5. Certain individuals should avoid eating sweet potatoes.
Although sweet potatoes are considered a top anti-cancer vegetable, they are not suitable for individuals with diarrhea or diabetes. People with stomach problems should not eat too many sweet potatoes to avoid gastric distension.
6. Do not eat too many sweet potatoes in a day.
Eating a moderate amount of sweet potatoes can stimulate the intestines and promote bowel movements. However, eating too many sweet potatoes in a day can cause symptoms such as gastric distension and belching. Generally, a normal person should not eat more than three taels (around 100 grams) of sweet potatoes per day, and individuals with diabetes should eat less according to their condition. If eating too many sweet potatoes causes gastric distension, it is recommended to take some compound digestive enzyme capsules, simethicone, mosapride, or drink malt water or herbal tea to improve digestion and relieve symptoms.
Taboos in pairing sweet potatoes with other foods:
1. Do not eat sweet potatoes with sweet foods.
Sweet potatoes have a high sugar content, and eating them on an empty stomach can produce a large amount of gastric acid, which can irritate the gastric mucosa and cause acid reflux, resulting in a burning sensation. Sweet potatoes also contain an oxidase enzyme that can produce a large amount of carbon dioxide gas in the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause symptoms such as gastric distension and belching.
2. Do not eat sweet potatoes with persimmons.
Sweet potatoes and persimmons should not be eaten together within a short period of time. If consuming a large amount, there should be at least a five-hour interval between them. When consumed together, the sugar in sweet potatoes ferments in the stomach, increases stomach acid secretion, and reacts with tannins and pectin in persimmons, causing precipitation and aggregation, which can lead to severe intestinal bleeding or gastric ulcers. If you feel discomfort in the stomach, it is recommended to go to the hospital for a gastroscopy to check for gastric bleeding or ulcers.
3. Do not eat sweet potatoes with pumpkins.
Both are considered "gas-stagnating" foods. Eating them without fully cooking can cause bloating. If consumed together, it can further cause symptoms such as gastric and abdominal distension, and sour belching.
