Diet for Eye Health

What Foods are Good for Your Eyes?

You use your eyes every single day. In fact, you’re using them right now as you read this blog! Your eyesight is one of your most important senses, as 80 percent of what you perceive comes through your sense of sight. Obviously, properly caring for your eyes is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle.

When you actively protect your eyes, you can reduce your odds of vision loss and help catch any developing eye diseases, like cataracts or glaucoma. If you’re wondering how to take care of your eyes, one simple way is eating a healthy and well-balanced diet.

How Does Diet Affect Eye Health?

Did your parents ever tell you to eat more carrots to keep your eyes healthy? While carrots alone can’t actually improve your vision, your diet does have a significant impact on your eye health.

If you proactively consume a healthy diet that’s rich in nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and C and zinc, you can lower your risk of prevalent eye conditions.

7 Foods to Eat for Good Eye Health

Now that you understand how important your diet is to the health of your eyes, become more familiar with some foods that can help keep your eyes healthy:

1. Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reverse dry eye. The fish that contain the most beneficial levels of omega-3s are tuna, salmon, trout, mackerel and sardines.

2. Nuts and Legumes are another great source of omega-3 fatty acids and are also rich in vitamin E, which can help protect your eyes from age-related damage. Nuts that are particularly good for eye health include walnuts, peanuts, cashews and lentils.

3. Citrus Fruits are antioxidants that help you ward off age-related eye damage and are rich in vitamin C. You can consume lemons, oranges and grapefruits to get a proper amount of vitamin C and help keep your eyes healthy.

4. Leafy Green Vegetables are a great staple item of any healthy diet. They are rich in both lutein and zeaxanthin, and have an abundance of vitamin C. Incorporating spinach, kale and collards into your regular diet can help keep your eyes functioning properly.

5. Carrots are very rich in vitamin A, which plays an essential role in vision. Vitamin A works with a protein called rhodopsin, which helps your eyes’ retinas absorb light. Carrots also have a high amount of beta carotene, which helps your entire body remain healthy.

6. Eggs are a great source of vitamins E and C, and also have zinc and lutein, which can help reduce your risk of age-related sight loss.

7. Sweet Potatoes are like many of the other foods listed above in that they are rich in both the antioxidant vitamin E and beta carotene. They are a great food to include in your normal diet to round out your intake of fruits and vegetables, and help you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Eat a Healthy, Well-Balanced Diet at Episcopal SeniorLife Communities

At Episcopal SeniorLife Communities, we understand the importance of a well-balanced diet. That’s why we provide residents with well-balanced meals every day, and aim to make each dining experience an unforgettable one with our restaurant-style dining options. We incorporate our core values of compassion, dedication, friendliness, innovation and respect into everything we do, including the dining experience we provide to all residents.

Also, our Neighborhood Programs have a variety of virtual health and wellness classes including nutrition education – check out the schedule and join us!

Please contact us today at 585-546-8400 to learn more about the dining options that await you in our vibrant senior living communities.