Since you were a child, you’ve probably heard that you are what you eat. You also likely know that certain foods can boost the health of different parts of your body.
Your body is full of important working parts; the eyes give us sight. Having a feast for the eyes with foods that boost vision and eye health will keep this sense strong for years.
If you want to keep your eyes healthy, eat more of these foods.
Carrots
That brilliant orange hue tells you that carrots contain beta-carotene. Your body turns this into vitamin A, which helps your eyes stay healthy. If you’re not getting enough vitamin A, you may experience vision loss, night blindness, dry eye, and cornea scarring.
Sweet Potatoes
Another orange-colored vegetable, sweet potatoes, gives you beta-carotene for eye health. They also provide vitamins C and E, two other essential vitamins that help keep your eyes on the prize.
Dark Leafy Greens
Load up your plate with dark leafy veggies, such as spinach, kale, and broccoli. They are brimming with the antioxidants zeaxanthin and lutein, both of which are found in high concentrations in the retina. They help filter out damaging blue light from the retina.
Red Peppers
Red peppers give you plentiful vitamin C. This antioxidant may help prevent cataracts. If you dislike red peppers, try strawberries, oranges, kiwi, or broccoli.
Seeds and Nuts
Seeds and nuts — particularly sunflower seeds and almonds — are whole of vitamin E, which can help slow down age-related macular degeneration. Grab some as a snack or sprinkle them on a salad made from leafy greens.
Beans and Legumes
If you’re meatless, eating beans and legumes is a great way to stay on top of your vision and eye health. For strong night vision and staving off age-related macular degeneration, choose chickpeas, kidney beans, or lentils. These are high in zinc and a great high-fiber option, too.
Other Things to Help Protect Eye Health
Aside from eating the right foods to keep your vision strong, always protect your eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses. This will block out UVA and UVB rays from the sun.
Additionally, don’t forget to schedule regular eye exams with your eye doctor. This critical step is something you may delay, but you never want to take your eye health for granted. Get them checked every year, especially if you already have vision problems.
