Eat these foods for eye health
If you are concerned about the health of your eyes, a diet that includes these foods can help:
• Fruits and vegetables are always a good idea. For eye health, choose those that are brightly colored, such as carrots and sweet potatoes, which are high in vitamin A. Vitamin A helps to keep the retina healthy and improves night vision. It is also recommended for people with dry eyes.
• Sweet potatoes, oranges, grapefruit, red bell peppers, strawberries, and tomatoes have lots of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to protect the eyes from the sun and harmful environmental factors. It may even help to prevent cataracts. To get the maximum benefit from these foods, don’t cook them – eat them raw.
• Leafy green veggies such as spinach, kale, and romaine lettuce and also eggs, broccoli, and peas are high in lutein and zeaxanthin. These are antioxidants that help to keep the eyes healthy while lowering the risk of some eye diseases.
• Almonds, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, and avocados are high in vitamin E, which is important for healthy cells. Vitamin E can help patients who suffer from macular degeneration and can also help to prevent cataracts.
Unfortunately, there is also a list of foods to avoid, and a few of your favorites are probably on it. Avoid foods with simple carbohydrates (such as bread and pasta), processed meats (such as bacon), sugary drinks, alcohol, caffeine, and foods that are fried.
The right foods can help to keep your eyes healthy, keep your vision sharp, and can lower your risk for eye disease. Another thing that is important for healthy eyes is to visit The Eye Care Institute for regular eye exams or whenever something just doesn’t seem right. Contact the office in Santa Rosa or Petaluma for an appointment. Call (707) 546-9800 today!