Finding the incentive to diet and exercise is not always easy. But, what if you knew that maintaining a balanced diet and getting the right nutrients for your body would also improve your vision? Here are some vital foods—other than just carrots—to start integrating into your routine for healthier vision*:
- Fish
Cold-water, fatty fish like salmon or tuna contain high amounts of omega-3. This fatty acid helps prevent degeneration and has been proven to protect against cataracts. Don’t worry: if you don’t like seafood, taking supplements like fish oil or flaxseed oil will have the same effect.
Leafy Greens
Luckily, kale is a pretty popular and readily available ingredient these days. Adding more of the plant pigments found in kale, spinach, and collard greens—lutein and zeaxanthin—to your diet will also help prevent degeneration and cataracts. Other foods with the same antioxidants include broccoli and avocados.
- Almonds
Many nuts including almonds, walnuts, and pistachios also contain the powerful omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. They are rich in vitamin E too, which is proven to boost overall eye health.
- Eggs
While eggs may be a great source of protein, they also contain many antioxidants and vitamins that benefit vision. The yolk contains the same antioxidants found in leafy greens and also zinc—which helps reduce macular degeneration risk. Eggs are also rich in vitamin A, which helps with dry eyes and night blindness.
- Citrus and Berries
It’s important to remember that fruits contain loads of vitamins as well! Any type of citrus fruits or berries are packed full of vitamin C, which reduces the risk of many eye diseases.
- Whole Grains
Get rid of those white carbohydrates in your pantry and replace them with quinoa, brown rice, or whole wheat instead. The entirety of your eye health is benefitted by the vitamin E, zinc, and niacin found in whole grains.
Need help figuring out how to incorporate all of these eye-healthy foods into your diet? We found some great recipes you might like to try. Vitamin supplements are helpful, too. Eat well!
*As always, check with your physician before making any changes to your diet or exercise routine.