Many people equate vitamin A with
better vision. But our skin's health is directly
dependent on the amount of vitamin A in our diet.
Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant to neutralize
harmful elements in our skin, helping to prevent
wrinkles, resist infection and keep our skin
youthful.
Two-thirds
of the vitamin A in the typical American diet comes
from beta-carotene, which is the pigment that gives
yellow and orange produce their color. Our bodies
convert carotene into vitamin A, making it crucial
to healthy skin. Think sweet potatoes, carrots and
apricots.
Vitamin A is
a potent fat-soluble vitamin, easily stored in our
body tissue, that is not found in any plant. It is
known to be toxic at levels above the RDA, so it's
not wise to supplement your diet with vitamin A
pills. Instead, focus on the delicious tastes of
those fruits and vegetables high in carotene for a
safe way to healthy skin. Begin with our 10 easy
ways to add more beta-carotene to your diet.
1. Add grated carrots to spaghetti
sauce. You won't notice
their presence and their carotene will feed your
skin.
2. Add
fresh spinach leaves to salad greens.
Spinach contains more carotene than other types of
lettuce.
3. Enjoy
a daily fruit smoothie
made of vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit. Include
apricots, peaches, mango or papaya as your fruit
choices to boost carotene in your diet.
4. For a
special dessert that's good for your skin,
place chilled melon balls in a wine glass; splash
with champagne and add mint for garnish.
5. Keep
fresh broccoli florets on hand
in the fridge for a pre-dinner snack. Serve with
your favorite low-fat dip for a treat everyone will
love.
6. Make
fruit a part of every dinner meal.
Keep canned, fresh or frozen peaches and apricots on
hand to add to the nightly fruit salad.
7. Choose
tropical fruit such as
papaya or mango for a delicious new taste. Tired of
the same old fruit? Go tropical!
8. Add
broccoli and fresh spinach to pasta or tomato
salads. They fit into just
about every recipe.
9.
Substitute papaya for tomato in salsa recipes.
Not only will your taste buds tango, you'll also get
plenty of carotene!
10. Look
for juices made from fruits high in carotene.
Instead of the same old orange or apple juice,
broaden your horizons!
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