Sweet potatoes are excellent sources of starch and contain huge amounts of carotenoids. It’s yellow-orange color means that they are high in the antioxidant, beta carotene. Sweet potatoes are superb sources of fiber, vitamins B6, C and E, folate and potassium. it is these and other phytochemicals that make sweet potatoes a potent anti-cancer food.

And like all vegetables, they are fat-free and low in calories. One small sweet potato has just 54 calories. And hear this, sweet potatoes may reduce your risk for lung cancer, especially good news to the millions of smokers and ex-smokers out there. Cooking wise, it’s best to eat them boiled, mashed or baked.