Posted on December 28th, 2009 by Sara B.
Did you know that carrots are not the only vegetable that can protect your eyes? Dr. Jennifer Ashton recently discussed some other eye-healthy foods on, “The Early Show.” According to Dr. Ashton, lutein and zeaxanthin are the most beneficial cartenoids for eye health. In fact, there are foods that are good for our eyes and taste delicious, too, that most of us are not even aware of. Below is a list of some of these foods, which promote eye health.
- Spinach
- Kale
- Peas
- Zucchini
- Broccoli
- Other leafy greens
- Orange peppers
- Corn
- Oranges
- Honeydew melon
- Egg yolks
Why is it so important to protect our eyes, you may ask? Dr. Ashton states it in simple logic:
“The thinking is that our eyes age just like other parts of our body, and things like these substances can really make a big difference in preventing things like macular degeneration and cataracts.” Read more »
File under: Get Fit, eye health | Tagged: broccoli, cataracts, corn, Dr. Jennifer Ashton, egg yolks, eye health, Food For Thought, foods good for your eyes, fruits and vegetables, healthy eating, honeydew melon, kale, leafy greens, lutein, macular degeneration, orange peppers, oranges, peas, spinach, The Early Show, zeaxanthin, zucchini
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Posted on November 25th, 2009 by Jessica G.
Did you know that parts of your Thanksgiving feast help your eyes? Diets high in antioxidants like vitamin A and lutein (which your body converts into an antioxidant) have been connected with lowered rates of macular degeneration and cataracts.
Here are some harvest favorites that are high in nutrients that support the health of your peepers—and taste great!
- Sweet potatoes: An excellent source of beta-carotene, which your body converts into the essential anti-oxidant vitamin A. For a refreshingly basic take on these oft over-sweetened veggies, try tossing chunks in olive oil, salt, and pepper and roasting in a hot oven.
- Pumpkin: With lots of vitamin A and a powerful wallop of beta-carotene and lutein, who needs to feel guilty about a second serving of pumpkin pie?
- Green beans, brussels sprouts, and broccoli: Each is a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect the retina from light damage. To let the flavor of these veggies shine, try them lightly steamed or roasted in the oven.
And don’t forget your leafy greens! The deeper the color, the healthier they are for you and your eyes.
VSP wishes you and yours a happy, healthy, Thanksgiving!
File under: Fun, eye health | Tagged: beta-carotene, broccoli, brussels sprouts, eye health, food, Food For Thought, green beans, lutein, sweet potatoes, Thanksgiving, Vitamin A, VSP Vision Care, zeaxanthin
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