Worst Foods for Eye Health: What Seniors Should Avoid and Why

Since about 13.4 million Americans over 65 experience vision loss, according to the American Foundation for the Blind, eye care in seniors is a top priority for many families. Knowing the worst foods for eye health can help older adults in Albuquerque, NM, prioritize holistic wellness and improve their eyesight naturally.

Here, we'll discuss a few foods to avoid for eyesight retention. Read on to make healthy eating as easy as possible!

Simple Carbohydrates: The Worst Foods for Eye Health

Eye health doesn't just refer to preventing age-related vision loss. Seniors are also at risk of eye-related illnesses. These include:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes central vision loss without affecting peripheral vision.
• Cataracts, or clouding in the eyes, cause blurry vision and make seeing in the dark impossible.
• Glaucoma refers to damage to the optic nerve that prevents peripheral vision from working.
• Diabetic retinopathy causes retinal swelling and clouded vision in those with diabetes.

AMD is one of the most common age-related vision issues that seniors contend with. Healthy eating for aging adults can stave off its impacts, especially when you avoid white bread and pasta.

This is because simple carbohydrates get digested faster than other foods. This can cause chronic inflammation, which is a major cause of AWD.

To resolve this problem, substitute white bread for whole-grain or rye. Chickpea or wheat pasta works well with your favorite sauces, and brown rice is a great substitute for white rice.

Sodium-Rich Meat Products

Many people's diets rely greatly on processed meats. These include:

• Deli meats
• Hot dogs
• Bacon

Unfortunately, the sodium content of these meat products can cause high blood pressure. Where there's hypertension, there are inevitable eventual eye issues.

Hypertensive retinopathy is one of the worst eye problems that comes with high blood pressure. Blood vessel damage in the eyes causes vision to blur and cloud.

Switch out your processed meats for fresh ones. Lean meats are best, including turkey and chicken. Tofu is also an excellent vegetarian option!

Ready-to-Eat Meals

Many prepackaged meals contain processed meats. However, even those that don't tend to have high levels of sodium.

Ready-to-eat meals with high sodium content may include:

• Prepackaged sandwiches
• Pasta salads
• Protein bowls
• Charcuterie boards

However, some of these meals may be perfectly healthy for eye health. Reading ingredient labels and being mindful of what you eat enhances senior nutrition. After all, it lets you assess meals on a case-by-case basis.

Some other sodium-saturated prepackaged foods include:

• Canned soup
• Other canned foods, including vegetables (due to preservatives and sodium within the juices surrounding the veggies)
• Jarred pasta sauces
• Crackers
• Processed cheese

Avoiding these foods may sound challenging, but a great New Mexico senior living community can help.

Morada Quintessence's dining program prioritizes healthy eating. None of our foods are pre-packaged. Professional chefs prepare them with the finest, freshest ingredients before serving meals tableside.

This ensures that you can get the convenience you crave without sacrificing your eye health. Healthy eating for aging adults has never been so easy.

Deep-Fried Foods

Deep-fried foods contain a lot of unhealthy saturated fats and trans fats. These are both horrible for seniors' cholesterol levels and can increase the risk of cardiac problems. It can also make eye health worse because of plaque buildup in blood vessels behind the eyes.

Unnecessary fats can also stop your eyes from absorbing the nutrients your eyes need to remain healthy. Nutrients protect against eye diseases like glaucoma and AMD.

Moderate your intake of:

• Fish sandwiches and fish sticks
• Breaded, fried chicken
• French fries
• Onion rings
• Mozzarella sticks
• Potato chips

Health and wellness programs at Morada Quintessence can help you enjoy these comfort foods in healthy quantities. We plan your meals and prepare them with fresh, delicious ingredients.

Our chefs and compassionate caregivers make sure that each meal is perfectly balanced. While allowing residents to enjoy their favorite comfort foods sometimes, we still ensure that everyone gets enough of the nutrients needed for good eye health.

Seafood

Fish is a lean meat that offers protein with low sodium. It's a core part of senior nutrition in many ways, including better brain and cardiovascular health. Omega-3-rich fatty acids are essential, and they come from fish!

Unfortunately, fish and shellfish are two of the worst foods for eye health. They're no better than heavily salted processed meats when it comes to aging and vision.

This is because seafood contains trace amounts of mercury. This won't cause a problem for everyone, but it can cause eye damage for some people.

To avoid these issues, eat only about 8-12 ounces of seafood per week. Substitute the rest for protein or tofu.

Following dietary limits and practicing moderation is a core tenet of healthy eating for aging adults!

Soda and Energy Drinks

Sixty-three percent of adults over 18 drink soda daily. Older adults are no exception to this rule.

In fact, you may drink even more sweet drinks as you age than you used to! This is because age makes it difficult to taste weaker flavors as you used to. Soda and sweet energy drinks pack a flavor punch that water just can't.

Unfortunately, the amount of sugar in soda and energy drinks can lead to diabetic conditions. Diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma are more likely due to this health problem.

Luckily, you can substitute soda for:

• Lemonade
• Orange juice
• Apple juice
• Pickle juice
• Flavored hot teas
• Iced tea

These have other advantages, like offering vitamin C and vitamin D to seniors. You trade out something bad for your eyes for something extremely positive!

Prioritize Senior Nutrition in Community Living

Now that you know some of the worst foods for eye health, it's time to begin the healthy eating experience at the best senior living community in New Mexico. Morada Quintessence offers a wide range of health and wellness programs, including mindful dining.

Our team prides itself on serving chef-prepared meals made with fresh ingredients. They know food, so residents can expect to get all the vitamins and minerals needed for senior nutrition and eye health.

Schedule a tour of our Albuquerque community to see amenities like our restaurant-style dining areas!