10 Tasty Ways to Make Sweet Potatoes a Weight-Loss Dinner

By Lizzie Fuhr

Updated on 9/16/2015 at 5:05 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

If you're looking to shed pounds or maintain your weight, sweet potatoes should be a staple in your Fall meals. They help keep you full with their high fiber content, and they also regulate your blood sugar, which can help you fight cravings and lose weight. You might only think of these orange tubers as a side dish, but these 10 creative calorie-conscious topping combinations will help you serve them up as a satisfying side, or in some cases, a simple main dish.

  1. Buffalo chicken: 1 baked medium-sized sweet potato (100 calories) + 2 tablespoons plain nonfat Greek yogurt (10 calories) + 3 ounces grilled chicken breast (101 calories) + 1 chopped green onion (2 calories) + 2 tablespoons hot sauce (3 calories) = 216 calories
  2. Black bean and quinoa: 1 baked medium-sized sweet potato (100 calories) + 1/4 cup black beans (57 calories) + 1/4 cup cooked quinoa (56 calories) + 1/4 cup diced tomatoes (10 calories) = 223 calories
  3. Italian 'shrooms: 1 baked medium-sized sweet potato (100 calories) + 1/2 cup steamed spinach (21 calories) + 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (108 calories) + 1/2 cup sautéed mushrooms (14 calories) + 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (14 calories) = 257 calories
  4. Taco night: 1 baked medium-sized sweet potato (100 calories) + 2 ounces lean ground turkey (85 calories) + 2 tablespoons plain nonfat Greek yogurt (10 calories) + 5 tablespoons chunky salsa (25 calories) + 2 slices avocado (40 calories) = 260 calories
  5. Fall stuffing: 1 baked medium-sized sweet potato (100 calories) + 1/4 cup chopped apples (14 calories) + 2 tablespoons pecan halves (86 calories) + 3 ounces turkey bacon (105 calories) = 305 calories
  6. Mediterranean style: 1 baked medium-sized sweet potato (100 calories) + 1/4 cup feta (99 calories) + 5 florets cooked broccoli (14 calories) + 5 pitted kalamata olives (67 calories) + 5 pieces sun-dried tomatoes (26 calories) = 306 calories
  7. Spicy sausage: 1 baked medium-sized sweet potato (100 calories) + 1/4 cup white beans (55 calories) + 1 link chicken sausage (140 calories) + 1/2 cup cooked kale (18 calories) + 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (0 calories) = 313 calories
  8. Chili cheese: 1 baked medium-sized sweet potato (100 calories) + 2 ounces lean ground beef (101 calories) + 1/4 cup kidney beans (52 calories) + 1/4 diced tomatoes (10 calories) + 2 tablespoons sharp cheddar cheese (55 calories) = 318 calories
  9. Sriracha powered: 1 baked medium-sized sweet potato (100 calories) + 1/2 cup tempeh (160 calories) + 1/4 cup edamame (94 calories) + 4 tablespoons red peppers (10 calories) + 1 tablespoon sriracha hot sauce (20 calories) = 384 calories
  10. Pesto chicken: 1 baked medium-sized sweet potato (100 calories) + 1/4 cup ricotta cheese (107 calories) + 2 tablespoons prepared pesto (115 calories) + 2 ounces roasted chicken breast (71 calories) = 393 calories