1. Sweet potatoes should not be eaten raw
Because the cell membranes of the starch in raw sweet potatoes are not broken down by high temperatures, making them difficult to digest in the human body. At the same time, when cooking sweet potatoes, the steaming or boiling time should be appropriately extended to destroy the "gas-forming enzyme" they contain. This prevents discomfort such as bloating, heartburn, belching, nausea, and flatulence after eating.
2. Sweet potatoes are better eaten with other foods
If sweet potatoes are eaten with rice or flour, they can have a complementary effect on proteins. If also paired with salty pickles or fresh radishes, the production of stomach acid can be reduced.
3. It is best to eat sweet potatoes at noon
This is because the calcium contained in sweet potatoes requires 4-5 hours for absorption in the body, and afternoon sunlight can promote calcium absorption. By eating sweet potatoes at lunch, the calcium can be fully absorbed before dinner, thus not interfering with the absorption of calcium from other foods eaten at dinner.
Three conditions must be met for eating sweet potatoes in winter
The first condition is to try not to eat them on an empty stomach. Eating sweet potatoes on an empty stomach increases the chances of acid reflux and heartburn, as sweet potatoes themselves contain a relatively high amount of carbohydrates and are somewhat sweet, which increases the possibility of reflux.
Second, it is best not to eat more than three *liang* (about 150 grams) of sweet potatoes in a day. Furthermore, if you experience acid reflux, you can split this portion into smaller servings throughout the day.
Third, do not eat sweet potatoes with overly sweet things. Sweet potatoes are already sweet, and eating them with other sweet foods can double the likelihood of reflux. Therefore, it is best to avoid eating sweet potatoes with overly sweet foods.