Pomegranate Sweet Potato Salad

Fall is here so that means loading up on in-season produce such as pomegranate seeds and sweet potatoes! Serve this as a side dish and pair with a quality source of protein such as grilled chicken, wild salmon, or sautéed organic tofu. Enjoy this nutrient-dense fall recipe that is gluten-free, dairy-free, pegan, and vegetarian!

This recipe features two of my favorite fall foods--sweet potatoes and pomegranate seeds. The combination of both ingredients makes for vibrant color and a mouthwatering flavor that will leave you coming back for seconds, thirds and maybe fourths!

Pomegranate Super Powers

For such a small, tiny seed pomegranates pack in a lot of flavor, crunch and nutrients. Pomegranates contain a unique nutritional composition of some of the most powerful polyphenols found in food.  Studies show that the antioxidants found in pomegranates, such as ellagic acid and anthocyanins are associated with decreased blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Get these nutritional benefits by purchasing a whole pomegranate and digging out the seeds yourself. It's a messy process because juices might splatter so don't wear your favorite shirt in the kitchen! I typically buy a few pomegranates and dig out all of the seeds at once, place them in a large tupperware and store in the refrigerator for the week. This makes it convenient to add pomegranate seeds to any dishes like trail mix, paleo porridge, salads, smoothies, chicken, etc.

Sweet Potato Magic

Sweet potatoes are another fall favorite because they are yummy, colorful and filled with nutrients! Swap out your white potatoes and bring in sweet potatoes (or even purple potatoes) to get more plant-based phytonutrients. It's obvious that they have a much higher nutrient content than white potatoes because sweet potatoes and purple potatoes both have a deep pigment underneath the skin of the potatoes. Just remember that sweet potatoes are higher in carbohydrates/sugar content compared to broccoli or cauliflower because they are a starchy vegetable. When eating any starchy vegetables it's always best to pair with a lean source of protein and a healthy fat. This recipe contains healthy fats from olive oil and avocado and plant-based protein from the black beans. You may want to pair this dish with an extra source of lean protein such as grilled chicken or ground turkey or wild salmon! And bam--you have yourself a balanced, vibrant, nutritionally exceptional meal! 

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