Banish a Bad Mood With These Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes! | Mental Health Recipes (2024)

If you’re vegan or vegetarian, this recipe is for you! (If not… you can also throw a BBQ’d steak or chicken on the side to create a whole meal with these tasty stuffed sweet potatoes.)

So, last year, I got really into stuffed and baked potatoes. They are just so easy to make and so flavorful (and basically a hit with everyone). Plus, sweet potatoes pack tons of punch when it comes to nourishment for our bodies. You can’t go wrong here.

And yes, this sweet potato recipe might just brighten your day and your mood. So, let’s get baking!

Easy Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

The great part about this recipe is that you can also get creative and sway away from the ingredients listed here. For instance, guacamole and sour cream go well with this recipe!

And yes, these babies can help you feel good mentally. Sweet potatoes are filled with antioxidants and nutrients that contribute to reduced inflammation and increased energy (We’ll get to all of this shortly!).

Now, the biggest time consumer for this recipe is how long the potatoes bake, meaning, really, there isn’t too much work besides a waiting game. So, let’s get started!

How Do These Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Guide You Toward Better Mental Health?

Sweet potatoes are awesome for your gut and your brain. As you might already know, the gut-brain axis plays a pivotal role in our mood and how we feel. Thus, by taking better care of both your gut and brain, it’s a win-win for your mental well-being! So, let’s dig into the details.

1. The skin of sweet potatoes offers a serious nutritional boost.

Keep the skin on! It’s not all about the innards. Sweet potatoes with the skin have vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, copper, vitamin B6, potassium, and niacin. On top of this, they have antioxidants, which experts claim protect your brain from harm!

Antioxidants fight free radicals, natural byproducts of metabolism that can damage cells in the body (especially when there’s too much). When you include sweet potatoes in your diet, you get some powerful antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and cellular damage, keeping everything functioning smoothly.

2. Sweet potatoes pack tons of fiber (which is great for your gut!).

Sweet potatoes consists of soluble and insoluble fiber. While the body can’t digest fiber, your gut bacteria loves it!

Fiber encourages the growth of healthy bacteria, as well as promotes overall good digestion. In fact, a high fiber diet is associated with a reduced risk of digestive and colon cancers and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

3. Vitamin C and vitamin B6 both help regulate mood (Here’s how!).

Vitamin B6, found in sweet potatoes, contributes to adequate serotonin production. Serotonin is a hormone associated with better mood and improved mental health. This vitamin also contributes to healthy brain development, meaning sweet potatoes are a great choice for growing children.

Vitamin C, on the other hand, acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping to balance out the body’s free radicals. This can help you handle stress and, again, decreases inflammation.

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Easy Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Prep time:

30 minutes

Cook time:

60 minutes

Total time:

1 hour 30 minutes

Recipe Category:

Sweet potatoes

Ingredients:

• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• ½ cup of cashew cream sauce, Greek yogurt, or sour cream
• 1 teaspoon of lime juice
• ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
• ½ medium red onion (chopped)
• 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon of onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon of cumin
• ¼ teaspoon of chili powder
• ½ teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 15-ounce can of black beans (drained)
• ½ avocado (chopped)
• Cilantro (chopped)

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 ℉.
2. Grease a baking pan and place the sweet potatoes on it. Make sure to stab the potatoes with a fork (You can also coat them in butter for extra flavor if you want!). Bake them for 55-65 minutes or until soft.
3. Whisk the cashew cream sauce (or Greek yogurt or sour cream) with the lime juice and black pepper. Place it to the side.
4. Heat oil on medium heat. Then, saute the onions until they become clear.
5. Add the spices and cook for another three minutes.
6. Add the black beans. Cook for about five minutes or until the black beans are heated through.
7. Remove the mixture from the heat.
8. When the sweet potatoes finish baking, let them cool for about five minutes or so.
9. Once cooled, cut them open down the middle and add the bean mixture, along with any toppings, such as cilantro or avocado and your cashew or yogurt sauce.
10. Enjoy!

Read Next: 10 Stress-Reducing Foods to Help You Unwind and Relax

Yield (servings):

6 servings

Enjoy These Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Guilt-Free!

They might taste like they wouldn’t be good for you, but, trust us, they are. Adding these baked sweet potatoes into your regular meal rotation can pack loads of punch for your mental well-being, enhancing your mood and igniting your taste buds.

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Credit:nata_vkusidey