Good eyesight is a precious gift. Ask anyone who has worn glasses or contact lenses for most of their lives. It is extremely common for people to experience challenges when it comes to eyesight. Children are also at risk for developing eye conditions like myopia, especially now because kids are spending more time indoors than their predecessors. Good vision is as much a function of good nutrition as anything else. Here are four super foods that can improve and help maintain your child’s eyesight.
- Carrots- The carrot is a well-known vegetable for improving vision. For the longest time, carrots have been associated with good eyesight. Carrots are rich in vitamin A which is related to vision. Vitamin A deficiency is known to cause night blindness or nyctalopia. Luckily, night blindness is curable. You just have to increase your Vitamin A intake. Carrots, being a good source of Vitamin A, can help.
- Green leafy vegetables- Kids don’t always enjoy eating green, leafy vegetables; but as it turns out, they are good for the eyes. Leafy, green vegetables such as kale, spinach, parsley are rich sources of zeaxanthin and lutein. These are the key carotenoids in the retina. They not only maintain eyesight, they also protect it from the sun’s rays.
- Eggs- These table tennis ball sized wonders are a storehouse of a range of nutrients. Some children refuse the yolk (the yellow part) because they don’t like its taste. As it happens, the yolk is the part of the egg that contains eyesight-benefitting nutrients. So the next time you serve eggs at breakfast, get creative in how you include the yolk.
- Dry fruits and nuts– Dry fruits are a sweet and yummy snack, and they’re usually welcomed easily by children. Nuts are excellent sources of omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E. These can help you prevent dry eyes, one of the symptoms of deteriorating vision. Cashews, almonds, raisins, banana chips, and candied cranberries are a few great options.
