Enjoy Your Potatoes

“And sweet potatoes…”

That was included in conversations with my 45 year old patient as we talked foods that could reduce blood pressure.

She was on a “combo” pill… Had a diuretic (aka a water pill) and a Calcium channel blocker in it and really wanted to avoid more medications.

I looooooove sweet potatoes … yams right? She said with a joyful look on her face

“Yes sweet potatoes … yams”

I eat them often… she continued!

I had not really met anyone so excited about sweet potatoes

I mean they taste okay I thought

Then I probed further

“How do you make them?”

Ever had candied yams doc? …You make them with butter and sugar

“Oh ”

“ um, that’s not what I meant”

“Sweet potatoes… unadulterated..”

Silence

Crickets

Throat cleared with a hint of a giggle

Doc… mehnnnn

“I know, I know…

“Can I suggest a recipe?

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“Slice the sweet potatoes thinly after washing

You can do skin on or off …

Sprinkle spices you like- I use Italian seasoning, turmeric, curry, thyme, garlic powder, paprika “

Add a squirt of olive oil

Then “bake” in oven

And enjoy warm!”

*smiling*

Alright doc
I’ll try!

“I’m proud of you *fist bump*”

*fist bump* she responded

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Here’s a clarification post!

Sweet potatoes help lower blood pressure (and help with diabetes too) in it’s “cleanest” form!

In health,

Dr. O

Author

Dr. Tolulope Olabintan MD, AAHIVS, FAAFP, dipABLM Dr. Tolulope Olabintan is the Co-Founder and Medical Director of Livingspring Family Medical Center. She is a Christian, Family Physician, writer, mentor, mother and wife. She takes joy in empowering her patients and readers to live their fullest lives possible. She helps patients live long and well as she believes that the quality of life is just as important as the quantity of life. She is also a foodie and loves the colors teal and orange. Dr. Olabintan completed her medical degree at UMDNJ Rutgers Medical School in 2007. Dr. O went on to finish her Family Medicine Residency from Albert Einstein College of Medicine Family Medicine residency where she also served as a Chief Resident. She then went on to complete a women’s health/surgical obstetrics fellowship at St Francis hospital in 2011. She is a board-certified Family Physician, Lifestyle Medicine, a HIV specialist and a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.