When heading to a cookout, seniors may want to sample a bit of everything. However, some side dishes can add up in calories and saturated fats. It's important that seniors make health-conscious decisions when choosing what to eat, and substituting healthier foods is a great plan.

For example, French fries are a staple with a burger, but they frequently are high in sodium and calorie content. Care2 reports sweet potatoes are a good source for vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium and iron. Seniors will be able to get the nutrients they need for healthy eating while still rewarding their taste buds.

Seniors may want to consider substituting sweet potato fries the next time they order a burger. They are a much healthier option, particularly if they're baked. Sunrise Signature Dining has developed a baked version of sweet potato fries that take away from of the fats that would come along with frying them.

Baked Sweet Potato "Fries"
Serves 6

Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3-inch-long batons
2 tbsp olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
Kosher salt to taste

Preheat the oven to 450˚f.
Toss the sweet potatoes with the olive oil and paprika.
Place the potatoes in a single layer on a cookie sheet.  Do not overcrowd the cookie sheet or the potatoes will not brown.
Place the potatoes in the oven and roast for 10-15 minutes, until the bottoms are golden brown.  Flip and continue to roast on the other side until golden brown, crisp, and tender when pierced.
Remove from the oven and season to taste with salt if desired.  Serve immediately.


Nutrition Facts
Serving: ½ cup
Calories: 118                                          
Fat: 7 gm
Sat Fat: 1 gm
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 20 mg
Carbohydrates: 13 gm
Protein: 1 gm