While the summer season is generally considered a popular time for cooking red meat and chicken, especially on outdoor grills, it is also the perfect time to fuel the body with fresh, seasonal foods that are now known to support lifelong vision health. The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington names antioxidants like Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta Carotene, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Zinc as beneficial nutrients in preserving vision health. Fortunately, all of these are found in various foods that can become summer favorites—for the open-minded among us at least.

The Society’s summer newsletter offers the following suggestions to make fresh, colorful foods a staple in our summer routines, regardless of the remaining vision we may still have. On the positive side, also, is that the same nutrients are key to heart health, an increase in physical energy, and resistance to common ailments such as the common cold and influenza.

• Snack on strawberries, oranges, and papayas for a boost of Vitamin C, or toss almonds and sunflower seeds into a summer salad for Vitamin E.
• Grill up some salmon or tuna for essential Omega 3s.
• Enjoy a refreshing cucumber and leafy green salad packed with Lutein and Zeaxanthin.
• Incorporate nuts, eggs, and whole grains into your diet for more zinc.