The Sweet Potato - Perfect Skin Connection
02/11/09 09:16 Filed in: General
Did you know that snacking on sweet potatoes can help your skin stay clear, smooth and young-looking? The reason: Crayola-colored orange in sweet potatoes comes from beta-carotene, an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A in your body and switches on DNA that's in charge of producing new skin cells and shedding old ones. A regular influx of new cells keeps the surface of your skin smooth, fresh-looking and resistant to irritants and damage. (It's no coincidence that some of the best topical healthy-skin ingredients in beauty products, retinoic acid and retinol, are derivatives of vitamin A.) Plus, beta-carotene acts like Pac-Man, eating up free radicals that cause DNA mutations that can lead to wrinkles.
Here are five healthy, tasty ways to get a sweet potato on your plate.
Cheesy sweet potato crisps Potato pancakes get a makeover! These appetizers are flavored with cheese and rosemary and have only 5g of fat per 3 crisps.
Sweet Potato and Avocado Sandwich A scrumptious vegetarian sandwich that beats your worn-out turkey on wheat by a mile. Bonus: Boiling a potato is the only cooking required in this recipe! Serves 2
Miso soup with sweet potato dumplings This spicy soup from Shawn McClain, chef at Green Zebra in Chicago, is low in fat and loaded with fiber and vitamins - definitely a win-win warm dinner. Serves 4
Filet mignon and sweet potato fries Stay in to eat for your next special occasion! This healthy take on a steakhouse fave upgrades any evening. Though this recipe suggests serving with asparagus, use any green that's in season. Serves 4
484 calories per serving (filet, fries and asparagus), 18.4 g fat (5.7 g saturated), 35.5 g carbs, 7.2 g fiber, 38.1 g protein
Sweet Potato Soup Use up a leftover cooked potato with this recipe for soup for one. Eat with a whole wheat pita for a well rounded, fiber-full meal. Serves 1
Here are five healthy, tasty ways to get a sweet potato on your plate.
Cheesy sweet potato crisps Potato pancakes get a makeover! These appetizers are flavored with cheese and rosemary and have only 5g of fat per 3 crisps.
Sweet Potato and Avocado Sandwich A scrumptious vegetarian sandwich that beats your worn-out turkey on wheat by a mile. Bonus: Boiling a potato is the only cooking required in this recipe! Serves 2
Miso soup with sweet potato dumplings This spicy soup from Shawn McClain, chef at Green Zebra in Chicago, is low in fat and loaded with fiber and vitamins - definitely a win-win warm dinner. Serves 4
Filet mignon and sweet potato fries Stay in to eat for your next special occasion! This healthy take on a steakhouse fave upgrades any evening. Though this recipe suggests serving with asparagus, use any green that's in season. Serves 4
484 calories per serving (filet, fries and asparagus), 18.4 g fat (5.7 g saturated), 35.5 g carbs, 7.2 g fiber, 38.1 g protein
Sweet Potato Soup Use up a leftover cooked potato with this recipe for soup for one. Eat with a whole wheat pita for a well rounded, fiber-full meal. Serves 1