Monday, March 17, 2014

Why St. Patrick’s Day is an Eye Healthy Holiday

When you think of St. Patrick’s Day, you may think of leprechauns, corned beef and cabbage, and a pint of Guinness. But did you know that St. Patrick’s Day is also an opportune time to incorporate some eye healthy foods into your diet?

Why? Greens!!!! Leafy greens provide some of the most essential nutrients your eyes need—and what better day to consume these greens than the most Irish of holidays? So, without further ado, here are some of my top recommendations for eye healthy superfoods that will get your family in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit.

  • Cabbage. You can enjoy one of the most popular dishes of the holiday, corned beef and cabbage, and reap the benefits to your eye health as well. Cabbage comes in a variety of colors (of the most common is green) and it’s rich in Vitamin A, which is essential to your retinal health.
  • Kale, broccoli, or spinach. These green veggies are packed with lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients that protect the retina against oxidative damage and decrease the risk for macular degeneration.
  • Green tea. I’m not saying you can’t enjoy a good old-fashioned green beer too, but green tea is a wonderful drink with numerous health benefits, including the protection it provides against diseases like cataracts.

 

There are other ways to incorporate eye health into your diet. Salmon, for example, is a food rich in DHA, which helps prevent macular degeneration. Consider a recipe like this Irish-roasted salmon to appease the masses.

http://www.food.com/recipe/irish-roasted-salmon-169936

Do you have an eye-healthy Irish recipe you love? Share it in the comments below!

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