Four Foods for Better Eye Health

When it comes to staying healthy, most people value the things that keep their appearance youthful: diet, exercise, skin and hair care, and keeping those pearly whites smile-ready. Often
times, other aspects of health are overlooked, including your very-important vision.
Eye care rarely gets the limelight. Aside from basic actions to prevent damage, such as removing contacts before bed and not sitting too close to the TV screen, you can also protect your eyes by wearing computer glasses at work and making simple diet adjustments to protect the health of your eyes. Just remember: When choosing health foods for the eyes, vitamin A is the way to go! Here are four foods that are vitamin-packed and help to keep the surface of your eyes and eyelids healthy.

1. Carrots

We’ve all grown up hearing that eating carrots will keep your eyes healthy, but this really is true.  Along with vitamin A, carrots are packed with potent antioxidants that protect your eyes from pollution and sun exposure. However, if you’re not interested in munching on carrots for your afternoon snack, try adding a carrot side dish to your next dinner menu. Try Moroccan-inspired carrot recipe for an ethnic flair! Serve them as a side salad with cilantro and walnuts (another eye-healthy food packed with omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E to help combat inflammation).

2. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are also an excellent source of vitamin A, as well as potassium and fiber. These tasty treats can serve as low-carb substitutes in almost any potato recipe. Instead of reaching for fast food fries, try simple, healthy sweet potato fries– spice them up with chili powder and lime juice for extra flavor, or dip them in sauces like pesto or honey mustard.

3. Spinach

A personal favorite way to add vitamin A to my diet happens to be the simplest of all. Substituting spinach leaves–which are also rich in lutein, a carotenoid that protects cells from damage– for lettuce in any salad will add the extra vitamin A your eyes need.  I love making Greek-inspired spinach salads with balsamic vinaigrette, feta cheese, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

4. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are the perfect fruit addition to every healthy diet. They are packed with vitamin A and C, which helps to prevent nerve damage in the eye. An easy-breezy fruit salad that’s delicious and jam-packed with exactly what your eyes need is perfect! Try a grapefruit with breakfast, a clementine for a snack, or a fresh glass of lemon water, too.