Pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm Talks Healthy Vision Tips

As with every other organ in the body, our eyes function best if they receive the right nutrients. Eating a diet rich in vitamins and nutrients can help keep the eyes healthy and even help prevent the onset of eye diseases, says Marla Ahlgrimm.  Below, Ahlgrimm discusses the various foods we should eat to keep our eyes healthy.

Q: Okay, I understand that eating a healthy diet helps keep my eyes healthy. But let’s start with the foods that are bad for our vision….what are they?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Anything with saturated fat and trans fats is unhealthy. Trans fats are often found in processed snack foods like packaged baked goods. Cutting items that are high in fat and low in nutrients will help you keep your eyes healthy and might even slim down your waistline.

Q: Can obesity have an impact on my eye health?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Yes, being overweight and obese increases diabetes and other conditions which can lead to vision loss.

Q: Which foods help boost eyesight?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Fruits and vegetables are great combatants against vision loss. The more colorful they are the better. Carrots and cantaloupes offer a large dose of beta carotene, which is an important nutrient for the eyes.

Q: Which green vegetables are best?

Marla Ahlgrimm:  Dark green vegetables like broccoli, kale, and arugula are also very important in a healthy vision diet. They contain vitamins and minerals and protect the eyes against some of the natural deterioration that comes with aging.

Q: I am not a big fan of fish but I’ve heard omega 3 fatty acids are excellent for eye health. 
What other food contain omega 3?

Marla Ahlgrimm: If you’re not a big fan of fish you can take fish oil supplements. Walnuts and flax seeds are also full of omega 3.