As May is Healthy Vision Month, we thought it would be the ideal opportunity to share with you some tips to maintain good vision for your whole life. One simple way you can start is to make a few changes to your diet and incorporating more eye health-preserving omega-3 fatty acids into your meals.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Benefits
Omega-3s are a class of essential fatty acids that some foods, particularly fish, contain naturally. They have numerous benefits for various aspects of health, including the eyes and vision.
Two omega-3s — Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) — are necessary for visual development and retinal function. Both are linked to a number of eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and retinopathy of prematurity, and a DHA deficiency may lead to dry eye syndrome, explains the American Optometric Association.
Recipes Rich in Omega-3s
The best way to ensure that you are consuming sufficient omega-3 fatty acids is to eat plenty of fish, especially tuna, halibut, salmon, anchovy, scallops, trout, snapper, and mackerel. Here are a few delicious recipes to encourage your family to improve their diet and, subsequently, protect their eyes.
Fish Chowder
Simple to make, this fish chowder from All Recipes works well as either a starter or a main course. You can jazz up the original recipe by topping the chowder with bacon bits or adding a little hot sauce.
Tuna Cheesies
One of the best ways to get your kids interested in eating well is to involve them in cooking. Give your kids the chance to prepare mini pizzas or half bagels for a meal or snack using these instructions from All Recipes.
Easy Tuna Patties
Perfect if you are looking to whip up something quickly, these patties from All Recipes make a great side dish or sandwich filling.
One other way to protect your family’s vision this May is to make sure everyone wears sunglasses when outdoors. You can find a range of styles for your kids to choose from in the Real Kids collection.