Macular degeneration (MD) is a leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in developed countries. Based on current research results, experienced publishing identity Ita Buttrose and Executive Chef Vanessa Jones present a selection of recipes using ingredients known to improve eye health and reduce macular degeneration risks.
Eating for Eye Health (New Holland, 2009) includes more than 90 recipes that aim to increase the daily intake of nutrients vital for healthy eyes and vision.
Eating for Eye Health
An introduction by Dr Paul Beaumont, the Director of the Macular Degeneration Foundation, offers a basic outline of the statistics and symptoms of MD, as well as a brief explanation of the disease and food nutrients that work best to improve general eye health and prevent age-related macular degeneration.
Dr Beaumont recommends including lutein, zeaxanthin (cartenoids), selenium and concentrated omega-3 fatty acids as well as maintaining a healthy intake of antioxidants to improve macular health. These nutrients are found in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and silverbeet, sweet corn, egg yolk, nuts (especially Brazil nuts) and fish.
Consequently, Eating for Eye Health contains recipes that focus largely on the use of these ingredients, particularly nuts, fish, spinach and other green, leafy vegetables. Vanessa Jones has provided a selection of recipes for each meal including breakfast, mains, side-dishes, snacks and desserts.
The recipes are not generally family-friendly and are unlikely to appeal to children. While the ingredients may not be found in every pantry as the book suggests, they can be easily found at a local supermarket. Those with special dietary requirements, such as nut-allergies or high cholesterol, will need to modify some recipes.
In addition to the recipes, there are general tips such as instructions on how to poach salmon and quick ways with vegetables. Meat recipes are restricted to seafood dishes including trout, salmon, tuna, anchovies, sardines, mussels and oysters.
Recipes for Healthy Eyes and Better Vision
The following are a selection of recipes from Eating for Eye Health:
- Slow Roasted Vegetable Salad with Pears and Ricotta
- Poached Salmon and Lemon Risotto
- Baked Trout stuffed with Spinach and Pine Nuts
- Grilled Sardines with lemon, thyme and Pine Nuts
- Miso Broth with Udon Noodles and Wakame
- French Bean Salad with Salsa Verde
- Soba Noodles with warm Japanese Dressing
- Orecchiette with English Spinach, Broccolini, Lemon and Garlic
- La Puttanesca Sauce
- Banana and Walnut Loaf
- Yoghurt Panna Cotta with Poached Cherries
Ita Buttrose and Vanessa Jones
Ita Buttrose AO, OBE is a Patron of the Macular Degeneration Foundation in Australia and dedicates the book to her father, who suffered from the disease. She is a well recognised figure in the Australian publishing and media industry and has published eight previous books including Get In Shape (Viking, 2008) with Lee Campbell.
Vanessa Jones is a respected magazine food writer and chef. She has previously worked as Executive Chef at Parliament House Sydney and is currently Executive Chef at the Union, University and Schools Club of Sydney.
Reducing the Risks of Macular Degeneration
With basic information about macular degeneration, nutrient charts for common vegetables and fruits, and a range of recipes for every occasion, Eating for Eye Health offers useful tips and recipes for those looking to reduce their risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and improve their macular health.
Recipes target Australian diets and will be best appreciated by those who enjoy a variety of spices and flavours.
Eating for Eye Health (ISBN: 978-1-74110-795-1, 192 pages)
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