| We all know that eating junk food can hurt us in | | | | shellfish, eggs, legumes, herring, liver and milk |
| the battle of the bulge. But now there's a new | | | | reduces the risk of advanced age-related macular |
| reason to control our intake of these highly | | | | degeneration and associated vision loss. |
| processed foods: They may cause eye problems. | | | | Additionally, fish, such as salmon and sardines, |
| According to a study by Harvard Medical School's | | | | contains omega-3 fatty acids that are known to |
| Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, fatty snack | | | | promote healthy retinas. |
| foods may lead to macular degeneration, the | | | | It's easy to incorporate foods that protect your |
| leading cause of vision impairment for Americans | | | | eyesight into your diet. Carrot sticks, citrus fruit, |
| over 55. | | | | mangoes, and even sweet peppers and tomatoes |
| The key to eliminating junk food from your diet is | | | | make great portable snacks. Fresh carrot juice |
| to replace them with healthier alternatives. The | | | | packs a concentrated dose of vitamin A in every |
| good news is there are plenty of healthy foods | | | | glass and is easy to make if you have a juicer. Or |
| that contain vitamins that actually promote eye | | | | you can try the healthy recipe below, which is |
| health. Carrots, beef, chicken, cantaloupe, mangos | | | | designed to taste good while giving your eyes a |
| and sweet potatoes all contain beta-carotene | | | | boost: |
| (vitamin A), which has been proven to positively | | | | Visionary Coleslaw |
| affect both night vision and day-to-day eyesight. | | | | Makes 8 servings |
| It also aids in cataract and macular degeneration | | | | - 2 6-oz. containers of low- or non-fat pineapple |
| prevention. Pork, liver, whole-grain cereals and | | | | yogurt |
| breads, wheat germ, potatoes and legumes | | | | - 2 T. low-fat mayonnaise |
| contain thiamine (vitamin B1), which prevents lens | | | | - 3/4 tsp. salt |
| deterioration. Vegetable oils, egg yolks, milk fat, | | | | - 1 head of cabbage, thinly sliced |
| green leafy vegetables and nuts contain vitamin E, | | | | - 4 carrots, shredded * |
| which also aids in lens deterioration prevention. | | | | - 1 small sweet bell pepper, finely chopped |
| And tomatoes, citrus fruit, strawberries, cabbage, | | | | - 1 small onion, finely chopped |
| green leafy vegetables and sweet bell peppers | | | | 1. Whisk yogurt, mayonnaise and salt together in |
| contain vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps | | | | a large bowl. |
| prevent glaucoma. | | | | 2. Chop cabbage, sweet bell pepper and onion; |
| There also are other nutrients that support your | | | | shred carrots. Add to the bowl with the yogurt |
| eyesight. The National Eye Institute states there | | | | mixture and toss well. If not serving right away, |
| may be evidence that lutein -- a carotenoid | | | | cover and refrigerate. |
| antioxidant available in spinach, kale, collards, | | | | * It's best to scrub carrots instead of peeling |
| mustard greens, amaranth, spirulina and red | | | | them. Some of the vitamins and minerals lie near |
| paprika -- could reduce eye problems. The | | | | the surface and can be whisked away with the |
| Institute states definitively that zinc, found in | | | | peels. |