New Year, New Better-for-You Breakfast

Whether you’re preparing to power through workouts or recharging for a day of play, a filling, satisfying breakfast is a
fitting way to start the morning. Shaking off the sleepiness can begin with the
meal of your dreams, one that’s loaded with complex carbohydrates,
electrolytes, antioxidants and protein.

For a healthier form of “carb loading,” turn to Sweetpotato
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal for a quick, nutritious, better way to kickstart the
day. It offers complex carbohydrates through oats and sweetpotatoes, providing
a perfect base for adding yogurt, peanut butter or pairing with eggs for a
protein boost. Plus, anthocyanins found in blueberries pack an antioxidant
punch to take breakfast to the next level.

Don’t let their sweet nature fool you – sweetpotatoes are a
wholesome option for children, adults and anyone interesting in a nutritional
boost. They’re used in cuisines all over the world as a satisfying and
versatile vegetable, with many surprised to learn a medium sweetpotato contains
about 100 calories when baked in the skin, along with 2 grams of protein and 25
grams of carbohydrates.

Their carbs may have a bad reputation, but they’re made up
of complex carbohydrates (which provide energy) that are released at a steady
pace. Furthermore, they include a myriad of health-promoting antioxidants –
like vitamins A and C – that play a role in immunity, skin health and eye
health. Plus, sweetpotatoes are a good source of fiber, which helps you feel
“full” and can aid in digestion, and potassium.

To learn more and discover better-for-you recipes for the
new year, visit ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Sweetpotato
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

Recipe courtesy of Sarah Schlichter on behalf of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

• Butter, oil
  or nonstick cooking spray
• 2 cups
  uncooked rolled or old-fashioned oats
• 2 teaspoons
  cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking
  powder
• 1 1/2 cups 1% milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup mashed sweetpotato
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter,
  melted
• 1/3 cup maple
  syrup, plus more for drizzling
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
  extract
• 2/3 cup
  blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Coat inside of 2-quart baking dish with butter, oil or
   nonstick cooking spray.
3. Mix oats, cinnamon, salt and baking powder.
4. Beat in milk, eggs, sweetpotato, butter, 1/3 cup maple syrup
   and vanilla extract.
5. Mix together, saving blueberries for last to prevent
   staining or crushing, and spread inside dish.
6. Bake 30-35 minutes until oats are tender and moisture has
   been absorbed.
7. Drizzle with maple syrup, to taste. (Family Features)

SOURCE:
North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission