To protect a child's vision, parents must strictly limit their child's screen time and ensure they maintain proper posture when using electronic devices. Additionally, consuming eye-protective foods can also help preserve eyesight.
1. Yellow fruits and vegetables, and green leafy vegetables: Rich in beta-carotene
After the human body ingests beta-carotene, it converts it into vitamin A as needed. This prevents vitamin A toxicity from excessive intake. Therefore, beta-carotene is a safe source for the human body to obtain vitamin A.
Most orange-yellow fruits and vegetables contain a high amount of beta-carotene, including carrots, pumpkin, loquats, apricots, sweet potatoes, papayas, mangoes, and tomatoes; green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, broccoli, chives, rapeseed, and shepherds purse also contain significant amounts of beta-carotene.
However, since carotene is a fat-soluble substance, it should be stir-fried with oil or stewed with meat to facilitate absorption. Therefore, eating raw carrots is not effective for absorbing beta-carotene.
2. Animal liver: A natural source of vitamin A
The chemical name for vitamin A is retinol, also known as anti-xerophthalmia vitamin. A deficiency in vitamin A affects dark adaptation and can lead to poor development in children, xerophthalmia, and night blindness. Consuming foods rich in vitamin A is beneficial for protecting the eyes.
Natural vitamin A is only found in animal-based foods, such as animal liver, eggs, cream, and cod liver oil. Animal liver, in particular, is extremely rich in vitamin A. However, given the higher risk of contamination in animal livers in recent years, it is not recommended for children to consume liver frequently. Guo Lina suggests using chicken liver as a substitute for pork liver.
Furthermore, when using cod liver oil, be sure to check the product's dosage, as it varies significantly between brands. It should be selected according to need, and cod liver oil should not be blindly taken to supplement vitamin A.
3. Eye-protective foods in Traditional Chinese Medicine
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, decoctions or infusions made from goji berries, chrysanthemum, cassia seeds, and mulberry leaves are also effective for protecting vision.
Chrysanthemum tea is sweet and slightly cool in nature, with the effects of dispelling wind-heat, calming the liver, and improving eyesight. It is suitable for drinking in the summer.
Goji berries nourish the liver, kidneys, and lungs, while goji leaves tonify deficiency, benefit essence, clear heat, and improve eyesight. You can use goji berries directly or with chrysanthemum to make an infusion, or boil goji leaves for soup.
Cassia seeds and mulberry leaves are also beneficial for eye health. A soup made with mulberry leaves, goji berries, and pork liver has a good effect on improving eyesight. However, cassia seeds and mulberry leaves are quite cooling. If a child has a constitution that leans towards being "cold," drinking these two types of tea may easily cause diarrhea.