AMD Alliance International Offers Holiday Eating Tips to Save Vision

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Then, eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical to reducing the risk and progression of macular degeneration and other eye diseases. The good news is that during the holiday season, there are so many great food choices you can make to benefit your vision.

Toronto, ON (PRWEB) November 17, 2009

AMD Alliance International (AMDAI) recommends that people at risk of macular degeneration use the holiday season as an opportunity to give themselves the gift of vision by eating foods that may benefit their eyesight!

Current research demonstrates that foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, selenium, Omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, copper, the carotenoids-lycopene, zeaxanthin and lutein are among those that can play a major role in promoting eye health.

“The most important thing that someone can do to preserve vision is to see their eye doctor on a regular basis to check for eye diseases,” says Dr. Johanna Seddon, a Director at Tufts University, member of the AMDAI Science Advisory, and a world renowned expert in nutrition and AMD. “Then, eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical to reducing the risk and progression of macular degeneration and other eye diseases. The good news is that during the holiday season, there are so many great food choices you can make to benefit your vision.”

Pick the jewels! AMDAI recommends eating the freshest and brightest, the so called jewel fruits and vegetable - red, dark green, orange, yellow - which can play a key role in keeping eyes healthy. Vegetables that can be easily incorporated into holiday dishes and are believed to be particularly beneficial for eye health include, corn, pumpkin, zucchini squash, yellow squash, red grapes, green peas, cucumber, butternut squash, red and green bell peppers, celery, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.

It’s also important to avoid foods that are high in fats and cholesterol, as these can lead to fatty deposits in the macular vessels which can hamper blood flow and increase the risk of AMD.

AMDAI offers the following holiday menu suggestions to add healthy vision to your celebration:

Appetizers & Drinks

Mixed Nuts - Nuts not only contain Omega-3 fatty acids, but also copper which can play a role in preventing age-related eye diseases.

Low-Fat, Non-Alcoholic Egg Nog - Eggs are a wonderful source of zeaxanthin, a carotenoid which is beneficial to the macula.

Hot Apple Cider - Apples contain a variety of vitamins and minerals including copper, zinc and Vitamins A & C.

Main & Side Dishes

Turkey – Zinc, which can be found in poultry, is an important mineral for eye and overall health. Eating dark meat turkey, minus the skin, is a good source of zinc

Baked Salmon - Salmon is a great source of DHA, an essential Omega-3 fatty acid that promotes not only eye health but is good for the entire body. It is also contains vitamin D which may help the eyes.

Vegetable Medley - A vegetable medley full of corn, carrots, peas, red peppers and other colorful foods contain various vitamins and nutrients that promote healthy vision.

Sweet Potato Casserole - Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene, an antioxidant. But go easy on the butter—research shows that saturated fat intake increases the risk of AMD.

Cranberry Sauce - Cranberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C, an important vitamin that can play a role in delaying AMD.

Dessert

Fresh Fruit with Low-Fat Frozen Yogurt - An array of fresh fruits with low-fat frozen yogurt will satisfy the sweet tooth while providing essential vitamins and minerals needed for eye health.

For more information about how to prevent, treat and manage AMD, please visit us at http://www.amdalliance.org

About AMD Alliance International

AMD Alliance International is the only international organization in the world dedicated exclusively to promoting awareness, treatment and research into macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in the developed world. With 60+ members in 23 countries, AMDAI is comprised of the worlds' leading vision, seniors’ and research organizations. For more information, visit http://www.amdalliance.org .    

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