By Jessica Zack, HHC
There's something about a batch of classic French fries that's always tempting, especially for anyone who is trying to stay lean. We know French fries are typically bathed in unhealthy fats and doused in salt, making them a poor food choice for any dieter (and anyone trying to stay away from heart disease).
What many people may not know is that ½ cup of white potatoes will actually raise your blood sugar more rapidly than one teaspoon of table sugar. This is not just bad news for diabetics. When you consume foods that have such a rapid glycemic response, your body reacts to this unnatural spike of blood sugar and insulin, which then drops your blood sugar. You release hormones to help rebalance blood sugar levels and free fatty acid concentrations rise. It's thought that these physiological events associated with high-GI foods may promote increased food intake and increased fat storage.
Want some good news? What if I told you that you could make your own healthy fries out of a vegetable that is super low in calories and high in fiber that can actually help you lose weight?
That's right. Jicama is an excellent source of oligofructoseinulin, a nondigestible carbohydrate that has a significantly lower caloric value than most dietary carbohydrates.
Jicama is a taproot vegetable in the bean family. The vegetable has a crisp and crunchy texture, and tastes like an earthy, mildly sweet apple. When cut into strips and baked, it maintainsa crunchy texture and looks just like the "real" thing. Unlike traditional French fries, these healthy jicama fries make a guilt-free snack or side dish that you can feel good about eating. A large fries at McDonald's (170 grams) will run you 500 calories while the equivalent amount of Jicama is only 65 calories.
Ingredients
- 1 Jicama root
- 1 Tbsp of mixed seasonings of choice (garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, etc.)
- Sprinkle of sea salt
- 1 Tsp of olive oil
Preparation
1. Using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, remove the papery-thin peel of the jicama root.
2. When you have cleanly removed all of the peel, slice the jicama into flat rounds about ¾ inch thick, and then cut them upinto strips resembling steak fries.
3. Lay your jicama strips out in one layer on a non-stick baking sheet, and prepare your seasonings.
4. Mix the seasonings in a small bowl and sprinkle them over the jicama strips as evenly as possible. Using an oil mister, apply a thin coat of olive oil. If you don't have a mister, just drizzle the olive oil over the jicama. If need be, toss the fries around on the baking sheet to even out the seasonings and oil.
5. Bake the seasoned jicama fries in the oven at 375° F for up to 15 minutes on each side, until they are golden-brown and crisp. Enjoy!
Hope you enjoy this healthy jicama French fry recipe -- let us know if you try it out!
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This article was originally published on BuiltLean.com -- Healthy French Fries Recipe You'll Love.