--- title: Hungry Eyes description: Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for your overall health. But did you know that there are certain foods that are particularly good for eye health? Ch image: https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/hungryeyes_1208790371_698x360-1.jpg --- Already have an Account? LOGIN X ### Select Line of Coverage: Vision Dental ### Select One: Member Administrator Provider Lab SIGN IN ![](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/hungryeyes_1208790371_698x360-1.jpg) Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for your overall health. But did you know that there are certain foods that are particularly good for eye health? Check out the list below to see if one of your favorite foods has an added health benefit! - Carrots Many people associate carrots with eye health. They are full of beta-carotene, a type of [vitamin A](http://www.allaboutvision.com/nutrition/vitamin_a.htm) that gives them their orange color. Beta-carotene helps the retina and other parts of the eye function smoothly. It is also thought to help with night vision. - Leafy greens Vegetables such as kale, spinach or romaine lettuce contain high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin. These [antioxidants](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20680738,00.html#leafy-greens) are believed to lower your risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. - Eggs Be sure to eat the yolk! Egg yolk is a prime source of lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as zinc. [Zinc](http://www.allaboutvision.com/nutrition/vitamin_e.htm) is a trace mineral that is found in high concentration in the eyes. It may help protect eyes from the damaging effects of light. - Citrus and berries Oranges, strawberries, peaches and grapefruit (to name a few) are filled with [vitamin C](http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/diet-and-nutrition/vitamin-c?sso=y), which studies have found is crucial for eye health. Vitamin C is another antioxidant believed to help lower the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. - Fish Cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, trout and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acid can help reduce the risk of developing eye disease later in life. - Sunflower Seeds & Nuts [Sunflower seeds and nuts](https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/ss/slideshow-eyes-sight-foods) are not just easy to snack on, they’re also packed with vitamin E. A [study](https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/vitamin-e-vision) has found that this nutrient can help reduce the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration by 25% for those who were experiencing early symptoms of the disease. - Broccoli & Brussels Sprouts Vitamin A, C and E are all found in [broccoli & brussels sprouts](https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/ss/slideshow-eyes-sight-foods). These vitamins protect the cells in your eyes from free radicals — an unstable molecule that breaks down healthy tissue. ## Related Articles [![](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/vba-676394644-vision-698x360-1.jpg) ](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/how-smoking-affects-oral-and-vision-health) [Oral Conditions](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/oral-conditions) [Hygiene and Health](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/hygiene-and-health) [Vision](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/vision) [Lifestyle](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/lifestyle) [Health and Wellness](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/health-and-wellness) [Dental](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/dental) ### [How Smoking Affects Oral and Vision Health](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/how-smoking-affects-oral-and-vision-health) It’s no secret that smoking can cause a number of major health concerns, but did you know the significant threat it poses to your oral and vision health? **Oral Health** ... [Jennifer Stech](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/author/jennifer-stech) [Read More](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/how-smoking-affects-oral-and-vision-health) [![](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/adobestock_144846953-1.jpeg) ](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/diabetes-and-oral-health) [Oral Conditions](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/oral-conditions) [Hygiene and Health](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/hygiene-and-health) [Dental](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/tag/dental) ### [Diabetes and Oral Health](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/diabetes-and-oral-health) Throughout November, we have shared information on how diabetes can affect your overall health. Although oral health may not come to mind when considering effects of... [Emily Shrader](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/author/emily-shrader) [Read More](https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/diabetes-and-oral-health) #### Stay in Touch Sign up to receive the latest news and information from VBA. ![VBA Plans of America logo](https://www.vbaplans.com/assets/images/VBA-Logo.png) Vision Benefits of America 400 Lydia Street, Suite 300 Carnegie, PA 15106 [1-800-432-4966](tel:8004324966) ##### [VISION](https://www.vbaplans.com/vision) ##### [DENTAL](https://www.vbaplans.com/dental) ##### [COMPANY](https://www.vbaplans.com/about-us) ##### FOLLOW © 2021 VBA ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Carrie Kadunce", "url" : "https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/author/carrie-kadunce" }, "dateModified" : "2023-12-08T18:31:02.488Z", "datePublished" : "2017-01-13T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Hungry Eyes", "image" : [ "https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/hungryeyes_1208790371_698x360-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/test-the-minds-eye-mkii/blog/post/hungry-eyes", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blod-dev.vbaplans.com/hubfs/VBA_RGB-1.png" }, "name" : "Vision Benefits of America" } } ```