You lift weights for your muscles and use fancy creams for your skin, but what do you do to protect your eyes? The eyes are often overlooked, but they are some of the most important parts of the body. Here are a few simple things that you can do to help ensure good eye health for years to come.

1. Have a comprehensive exam. If you don’t wear glasses or contacts, you might go for years between eye exams. The only real way to know how healthy your eyes are is by having a comprehensive dilated exam administered by an eye care professional, so be sure to schedule an appointment.
2. Eat the right foods. Yes, it’s common knowledge that carrots are good for your eyes, but other foods that can help improve the health of your eyes, as well. Dark, leafy vegetables, fruits, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids have all been linked to improving eye health.
3. Keep them protected. Sunglasses don’t just look cool, they also serve a very important purpose. Wearing sunglasses helps to shield your eyes from the harmful UV rays from the sun, so be sure to choose ones that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.

Eye Health Tips [Information for Healthy Vision]
10 Eye Health Tips to Protect Your Vision [Real Simple]
Five Tips For Eye Health [Eating Well]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/T.Kiya

Fresh produce is delicious, and it’s also filled with nutrients that are essential to your overall health. If you’re a newbie to the world of cooking with produce, these snack and meal ideas will show you how to fill up on fresh fruits and vegetables instead of your usual salty snacks.

1. Opt for fruits and vegetables to stay fuller, longer. Although eating carrots instead of potato chips might seem like a lighter snack, produce actually keeps you feeling fuller for longer than other foods. That’s because processed foods are deficient in fiber, while fruits and vegetables are filled with fiber.
2. Fill your breakfast with fresh veggies. Instead of eating a carb-heavy breakfast, fill a simple omelet with your favorite fresh vegetables for a boost of vitamins and nutrients.
3. Make a simple salad for lunch. If you usually grab a greasy fast food meal because you don’t have time for lunch, try topping fresh tomato and cucumber slices with tuna or chicken salad for an equally quick (and healthy) lunch.
4. Have a snack. Replace your usual snack with apple slices, carrot sticks, or celery plus your favorite dips and spreads.
5. Stir-fry your dinner. If you’re unsure of how to prepare veggies for dinner, simply stir-fry your favorites in a low-fat sauce with some lean protein.

5 Reasons Vegetables May Help You Lose Weight and Live Longer [Atkins]
Fruit and Vegetables in a Weight Loss Diet [Weight Loss Resources]
How to Use Fruits and Vegetables to Help Manage Your Weight [CDC]

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