Don't peel of yam skin before peeling

Benin – A Dietician in the Department of
Dietetics, University of Benin Teaching Hospital,
Mr Peter Stephen, on Tuesday advised against
peeling of yam before cooking it.
Stephen said in Benin that cooking yam with
the skin reduced its sugar content.
He noted that yam and rice had high Glycemic
Index (GI) which increased blood sugar level,
and advised that yam should not be peeled
before cooking to reduce the sugar content.
Yams being arranged for sale at Muda Lawal
Market in Bauchi. NAN Photo
GI is a numerical scale used to indicate how
fast and how high a particular food can raise
blood glucose (blood sugar) level.
“The skin of yam that is normally peeled off
contains proteins and vitamin B Complex.
“It also has soluble fibre that absorbs sugar
inside the yam.
‘’When the yam is properly cooked, you peel off
the skin before eating.
“When you cook your yam with the skin, it will
not increase the blood sugar level.
“By the time you eat the yam with vegetables, it
gives you a better result,” he said.
Stephen listed foods with low GI to include
tomatoes, soya beans and beans.
He noted that such foods had natural
substances lowered blood sugar level.
He advised people, especially diabetic patients,
to mix foods with low GI with those with high GI
in the ratio of 2:1 to maintain a good blood
sugar level.
“Rice has high GI; so, if you want to eat it, mix
it with food with low GI such as beans.
“If you take five spoons of rice, you have to take
10 spoons of beans to help to slow down the
rate sugar is absorbed in the blood.
“Even if you are not diabetic, you have to
control your sugar level because prevention is
better than cure,” the dietician advised. (NAN)