Foods That Can Help Improve Eye Health

August is National Eye Exam Month and that’s a great reminder that your senior loved one should see an eye doctor now if they haven’t yet this year. Many seniors forget to keep up with their vision checks but getting an eye exam at least once a year is important. If your senior loved one needs to see an eye doctor but doesn’t drive and needs help getting to the eye doctor, senior home care providers are a great way to make sure that your senior parent has the help they need to get to medical appointments.

Senior home care can also help seniors protect their eyes and their vision by making sure that they are eating foods that are proven to help keep their eyes healthy and strong like:

Raw Red Peppers

Senior Home Care Totowa NJ – Foods That Can Help Improve Eye Health

Raw red peppers are a fantastic source of Vitamin C. They are also packed with vitamins A and E, which are essential for good eye health. They also have the most Vitamin C per calorie of any fruit or vegetable. So even though citrus fruits are also a good source of Vitamin C raw red peppers are actually a better bet nutritionally. They should be eaten raw in order to get the most nutrients because as the pepper is cooked the heat will cause the Vitamin C to break down resulting in less Vitamin C for the body to absorb.

When the weather is hot stuffed cold red peppers are a fantastic cool meal that your senior loved one will really enjoy. Red peppers can also be added to salads to add crunch and color.

Oysters

Not everyone likes seafood or can eat it. Seafood is a common allergen. But if your senior parent can tolerate seafood and likes oysters then they should eat more oysters. Oysters are an excellent source for zinc. Zinc has been proven to help slow the progression of macular degeneration, one of seniors’ most common eye problems. If your senior loved one doesn’t like oysters then other sources of zinc like eggs, peanuts, and whole grains can be added to your senior loved one’s diet instead of oysters.

Fish And Nuts

Fish is one of the best sources of Omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential for healthy eyes. But since not all seniors like or can eat fish if your senior loved one can’t eat fish they can also get a lot of Omega 3 fatty acids from nuts like cashews or peanuts. Fish is the best source of natural Omega 3 fatty acids, but it’s not the only source.

Spinach

Spinach and other dark leafy grains like kale have high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin. Both lutein and zeaxanthin are essential for keeping the retinas of your eyes healthy. If your senior parent doesn’t eat enough dark leafy greens try to get them to start eating a salad for lunch or having a salad with dinner. Those dark leafy greens will make a big difference in your senior loved one’s health.

Sources: https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7943887/best-foods-for-eye-health/
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/ss/slideshow-eyes-sight-foods

If you or a senior family member are considering hiring Senior Home Care Services in Totowa NJ, please contact the caring staff at Caring Solutions Home Care LLC. In-home senior care servicing Bergen & Passaic Counties. Call today at (973) 427-3553.