6 Worst Foods for Eye Health Seniors Should Avoid and Why

According to an article in Nutrients, about 90% of seniors struggle to eat healthily. This may cause problems like obesity and high blood pressure. However, many older adults don't consider the holistic impacts of unhealthy eating, which makes aging and eyesight more difficult to reconcile.

Here, we'll talk about some of the worst foods for eye health that seniors in Gallatin, TN, should avoid. Read on to keep your vision sharp and your eyes clear with eye-healthy diets.

1. Bread and Pasta

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common vision problems that impacts seniors. Those with AMD may struggle with:

Wavy-looking straight lines
Blurry central vision
Blind spots in the center of the eye

Chronic inflammation is one of AMD's main causes, so avoiding inflammation is critical to senior wellness.

White bread and pasta are digested more quickly than other foods. This puts them among the worst foods for eye health that can cause inflammation and contribute to AMD.

To stave off the impacts of AMD, substitute these foods for whole grains. Wheat bread and chickpea pasta are great alternatives, and they have other nutrients like fiber and protein to boot.

2. Processed Meats

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the main causes of inflammation. This can lead to AMD, but there are other problems to consider. They include:

Hypertensive retinopathy, or blood vessel damage in the eyes that leads to blurred vision
Neuropathy, which blocks blood flow to the eye and kills the nerves that make clear vision possible
Choroidopathy, or the buildup of fluid underneath the retina

Sodium is a massive cause of hypertension.

Salty meats are some of the most important foods to avoid for vision health. Shirk bacon and deli meats in favor of lean proteins like turkey and tofu.

3. Condiments

Condiments are some of the fattiest foods out there. Avoiding excessive unhealthy fats isn't just one of the most important parts of holistic senior wellness tips.

Fats are also some of the most important foods to avoid for vision health.

Don't use a lot of:

Mayonnaise
Cream cheese
Ranch dressing
Caesar dressing
Ketchup
Jelly

Instead, substitute salad dressings for fresh lemon juice or vinegar.

Butter is a great cream cheese alternative on bread and bagels. Many people also replace mayonnaise with it, though mustard is also a good mayo alternative.

Note, however, that butter is still fairly high in cholesterol. It's better than margarine, which contains a lot of processed trans fats. Despite this, it still should be regulated in a healthy diet.

Mayonnaise is also in many delicious, healthy meals like chicken salad and egg salad. Luckily, there are low-fat options that you can enjoy while enjoying The Capstone at Station Camp assisted living. Mustard egg salad and potato salad are also healthier than mayonnaise, and many people consider them more flavorful as well!

4. French Fries and Other Fried Foods

Saturated fats and trans fats are terrible for eye health. They can:

Raise cholesterol in the blood
Cause plaque buildup in blood vessels
Interfere with nutrient absorption in the eyes

Unfortunately, many all-American comfort foods are extremely high in these fats. Deep-fried foods are one of the worst culprits. Avoid:

French fries
Potato chips
Deep-fried fish
Crispy chicken
Red meat, including burgers (whether it's deep-fried or served grilled)

Cutting these foods out of your diet completely is likely a miserable idea. After all, they provide a lot of flavor that older adults crave in their meals.

Mindful meal planning is the best way to enjoy your favorite foods in moderation!

At The Capstone at Station Camp, professionals plan and prepare eye-healthy diets for community residents. All meals are made with fresh ingredients that haven't undergone unnecessary processing.

They're also designed to balance out senior diets with more healthy food than unhealthy comfort foods. This lets residents enjoy their favorite comfort dishes while still getting the nutrients needed to preserve eye health and holistic senior wellness.

5. Coffee

Coffee is undoubtedly a delicious staple of many diets. It's a great way to wake up in the morning, and it can provide an unmatched energy burst.

The good news is that consuming coffee is generally safe for eye health. In fact, some studies suggest that coffee may contribute to cataract prevention!

However, if you drink too much caffeine, you're at a higher risk of eventually experiencing glaucoma and dry eye. Glaucoma can blur and distort vision greatly. Dry eyes are uncomfortable and itchy.

To keep experiencing the joys of coffee without the eye problems, opt for decaf or half-decaf cups. Drink caffeine only in moderation.

Also, seniors should cut out coffee drinks like lattes to avoid sugar!

Doing this and continuing to drink a moderate amount of coffee can help you stave off some eye problems without putting you at risk for others.

6. Sugary Drinks

Many people enjoy artificially sweetened drinks regularly. This is especially true as we age, since older adults sometimes struggle with taste. Soda provides a strong flavor that water and milk don't offer, making it a more enjoyable drink for many seniors.

Unfortunately, sugar puts people at a high risk of diabetes.

With diabetes comes diabetic retinopathy. This causes retinal swelling and leads to cloudy vision in one or both eyes.

Sugary drinks have between seven and ten tablespoons of sugar per serving, so they're definitely something to avoid!

Substitute soda and energy drinks with:

Fruit juices
Lemonade
Flavored teas

This will give you the flavor you crave with none of the pain.

Avoid the Worst Foods for Eye Health Effectively

Knowing the worst foods for eye health is a great way for seniors to prioritize their health and wellness. However, incorporating these ingredients into recipes can be challenging for those with mobility and memory challenges.

That's where the senior living community in Gallatin, TN, comes in!

Our team is proud to offer mindfully-made, chef-prepared meals. They're tailor-made for senior wellness and make eye-healthy diets easier. We only use fresh ingredients and serve them tableside for a mindful and exciting dining experience.

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