Eat Better for Better Vision
April 11, 2009 by Sandy Mitchell
Filed under Recipes
According to the American Optometric Association, better nutrition could prevent millions of aging Americans from developing vision loss due to macular degeneration or cataracts. They maintain that by eating foods rich in six nutrients–antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, essential fatty acids, vitamins C and E, and the mineral zinc–you can help protect your vision.
Where to find these nutrients. Here are a few clues:
Lutein and zeaxanthin – Colorful fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale, corn, green beans, peas, oranges and tangerines
essential fatty acids – fish like tuna, salmon, or herring as well as whole grain foods, chicken, and eggs
vitamin C – oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, green peppers, and tomatoes
vitamin E – safflower or corn oil, almonds, pecans, sweet potatoes, and sunflower seeds
zinc – extra-lean red meat, poultry, liver, shellfish, milk, baked beans, and whole grains
(photo credit: Newscom)
