I love superfoods like matcha green tea and cacao. And I also love super everyday foods that are easy to find in your local market and often a lot less expensive. These are the foods you cook everyday, pantry staples like black pepper and sea salt.
They’re also the everyday foods you may not be cooking with. In particular, I’m thinking of a little known South American root known as yuca (or cassava).
Yuca is my husband’s best kept secret. He’s been eating cassava bread for years, a habit he picked up during his early childhood living in Venezuela.
To be honest I wasn’t a huge fan of the flatbread, but am impressed with the nutrient density of this potato-like super-root. It’s a great substitute for white potatoes and the dreaded potato chip, which raises blood sugar way too fast.
Unlike white potatoes, yuca is high in fiber. High fiber foods are great choices for both your blood sugar and your belly.
The health benefits of yuca include:
- High in fiber to support digestion, alleviate constipation and promote regularity.
- High in vitamin C, which will boost your immunity.
- Slows the release of sugar into the bloodstream for good blood sugar regulation.
- Yuca is high in antioxidants.
- Yuca is rich in manganese, a mineral that supports healthy bones, tissues and aids in the reduction of symptoms of PMS.
Selecting and storing yuca:
Yuca can be found in the produce section of most supermarkets and South American markets. Select a yuca that is sweet smelling with no signs of mold.
Do not refrigerate yuca; store it in a cool, dry area. You should plan to use fresh yuca immediately as it spoils rapidly.
Quick prep ideas:
- Prepare yuca just like you would prepare a potato or sweet potato
- Try mashed yuca with garlic
- Add it to soups, stews or casseroles
- Try yuca chips
- Or, prepare my simple recipe for Roasted Yuca Fries
- Try a traditional cassava flatbread, which can be found at most South American markets
Last weekend, I experimented in the kitchen with fresh yuca…turns out it’s pretty yummy too!
Your Simple Action Plan:
Try replacing your everyday potatoes with yuca this week. What do you think? Be sure to let me know in the comments below.
