superfood

When you bite into a chili pepper, you probably think hot, not healthy. But that heat is tied to one of the pepper's health benefits. Learn what makes the pepper a nutritional star.

How far do some salmon swim to spawn? Find out the answer and other fascinating facts about this fish.

Canned soups are convenient, but most are loaded with sodium. This tasty black bean soup recipe is a quick, low-salt alternative.

Not all sweet potatoes are orange. Find out what other colors this tuber comes in and what makes it a nutritional superstar.

Is the old saying about beans and your heart really true? Get the answer along with more fascinating facts about beans.

Which automaker built a car from soybeans? Get the answer along with other fascinating facts about soybeans.

Doctors often prescribe ginger for what pregnancy symptom? Get the answer along with more fascinating facts about this herb.

How you prepare garlic for cooking can actually improve its medicinal effectiveness. Find out what you should do and other fascinating facts about this member of the onion family.

Know how many cranberries it takes to make a can of sauce for Thanksgiving? Find out this and other fascinating facts about cranberries.

What nutrient makes blueberries blue? Find out this and other fascinating facts about this little blue nutritional powerhouse.

Makes 6 servings; serving size two tacos

Taco filling is typically made with ground meat but it doesn't have to be. For this shrimp taco recipe, we combine the convenience of frozen shrimp with the usual taco seasonings—chili powder, cumin, garlic, and salsa, and then toss in some unlikely ingredients: black beans and crushed pineapple.

The result is a slightly sweet, fiber-filled dinner that's sure to make everyone smile! If you have young children and they happen to be missing a few front teeth, you may want to switch from crunchy taco shells to soft flour or corn tortillas.

Ingredients:
12 taco shells
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 pound frozen small cooked shrimp, thawed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1½ cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup salsa
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Optional toppings: Diced avocado, chopped tomato, light sour cream, shredded lettuce

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the taco shells according to package directions and set aside.

2. While the shells are baking, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder and cook until the shrimp are warmed through, about 1 minute (if using fresh shrimp, cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes).

3. Stir in the beans, corn, pineapple, and salsa and heat through, about 2 minutes. Add the cheese and heat until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Using a slotted spoon to remove any excess liquid, place a generous 1/2 cup of the shrimp mixture into each taco shell. Serve with optional toppings.

Nutrition Information:
380 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated, 0.5g omega-3), 540mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate, 6g fiber, 27g protein, 10% vitamin A, 15% vitamin C, 20% calcium, 20% iron

This recipe is from the new book No Whine with Dinner by Liz Weiss and Janice Newell Bissex. Order your copy today.

You probably know that eating a healthier diet can help you lose weight and keep cholesterol in check. But did you know choosing the right foods can also help your skin? Just as calcium is critical in bone health, other nutrients play a crucial role in the health of your skin, hair and nails—and those nutrients may even help you look younger.

Skin cells need certain nutrients to repair and regenerate. This is also true for healthy hair and nails. And that's where the foods you put on your plate come in. Here are nine nutrition secrets that can help you look and feel younger.

Antioxidants including vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin A are substances that protect against the breaking down of cells in the body, including the skin. The best protection is an array of antioxidants, from brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Add dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, blueberries, cantaloupe, pink grapefruit, red peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, plums, prunes, purple grapes, beets and tomatoes to your weekly menu.

Vitamin C is essential for the formation of collagen, the spongy stuff that keeps skin plump and wrinkle-free. You can find vitamin C in citrus fruits, red peppers, dark green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, strawberries and kiwi fruit.

Beta Carotene is critical for skin health, too. In the body, it converts to vitamin A and is involved in the growth and repair of skin cells and may protect against sun damage. Note: Vitamin A supplements in high doses can be toxic so go for carrots, pumpkin, mangos, sweet potatoes and other orange colored foods.

Vitamin E helps protect healthy cells and guards against sun damage, too. Wheat germ, fortified cereals, nuts and seeds have vitamin E. There's even some research that suggests Vitamin E can join forces with Vitamin C for an extra boost of anti-aging skin protection. So how about a glass of orange juice with a handful of almonds for an afternoon snack to nourish your skin?

Healthy fats such as omega-3 fats found in salmon, flaxseed and walnuts and the mono-unsaturated oils found in olive oil, canola oil, avocados and nut butters are heart healthy and help keep skin moisturized from the inside out.

Beauty on the half-shell? Oysters are a great source of the mineral zinc which is involved in wound healing and the formation of new collagen. Rather have sushi? The mineral selenium found in tuna and crab may help delay aging by reducing sun damage and protecting skin's elasticity. Selenium is also found in grass-fed beef and buffalo.

Finally, think about what you drink: Overdoing it at the bar—even the coffee bar—can show on your face. Avoid excess alcohol and caffeine which can dry and dehydrate your skin, robbing the cells of needed water, and causing fine lines to be more visible. And be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and eat water-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables. This helps keep your skin hydrated and looking its best.

People swear that taking vitamin C will keep colds away. But does the vitamin C found in oranges and supplements really fight colds? Our healthy skeptic reveals the truth.

This easy sweet treat is loaded with cancer-fight antioxidants like the lycopene in watermelon. Plus it's fat free and contains the juice of two superfoods: pomegranate and blueberries.

Download