Eating healthy foods benefits vision

The old adage, "You are what you eat", does ring true when it comes to your eye health. Paying attention to what you what you put on your plate can help protect your eye health.

The vegetable family is filled with eye healthy candidates. Kale and spinach are lutein and zeaxanthin powerhouses. For people who are not particularly fond of those two leafy greens, you can look to more mainstream veggies such as green beans, corn and peas. Lutein and zeaxanthin can help reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Red peppers pack a triple punch of vitamins A, C and E and sweet potatoes and carrots are loaded in beta carotene, which can all help lessen the risk of cataracts or macular degeneraiton.

If you're not a fan of vegetables, you can always look to the fruit family. Oranges and grapefruits are packed with vitamin C. Cantaloupe and apricots bring vitamin A to the table, which helps to moisturize the eyes and maintain the function of the retina.

And it doesn't stop with fruits and veggies. Oysters, red meat, poultry, milk and liver are excellent sources of zinc which can help with poor night vision and possibly even cataracts.  Nuts and seeds contain high amounts of vitamin E, which protects the eyes from free radicals and slows the progression of cataracts and macular degeneration.