Optometrist Laurie Capogna has found a niche in the ever-expanding field of health plans: foods that promote eye health referred to as ‘Eyefoods.’ After patients asked how they could change their lifestyle to support their eye wellbeing, she decided to integrate her 20 years of practice with scientific research to create a recipe book of food to feed the eyes. Harnessing support from Dr Barbara Pelletier, the two have gone on a mission to provide a dietary scheme geared towards promoting eye health known as the ‘Eyefoods Plan.’
She credits the creation of the Plan to her patients explaining: ‘their curiosity and motivation to make better everyday choices for their eye health inspire me daily to continue learning about the field of ocular nutrition.’ She hopes to spread this knowledge so that her readers can also support their eye health through her food innovations.
Her book is split into three parts; eye health and disease, the Eyefoods Plan and recipes for healthy eyes. These are in turn divided into focused chapters as she moves from discussing the basics of the eye to explaining how diet and lifestyle are key factors to eye health and disease. This book is an excellent demonstration that a healthy eye diet is not as restrictive as one may at first think. Each recipe is laid out simply and contains detailed information on nutrient benefits and tips for serving. The thoughtful inclusion of meal plans and shopping lists as well as pantry and freezer lists take away the fear of a change in lifestyle. Capogna even suggests planting your own fruit, vegetables and herbs to support the switch onto her Eyefoods Plan.
Over 100 appealing and nutritional recipes conclude this book. Some of the most intriguing are her ‘mango tango salmon’ with its tropical mango salsa, a quirky accompaniment that can also be made with orange and peach. Or her chocolate smoothie bowl including sweet potatoes and kale, the flavour of which she claims is masked by the chocolate. She also includes an interesting take on some mealtime staples with carrot fries that are high in beta-carotene and kale pesto which can be frozen into ice cubes for storage. Photos of her finished dishes are the only component missing from her book.
Vegetarians and vegans are not forgotten as Capogna recommends flax seeds, walnuts, avocados, soy products and chia seeds, in addition to high-quality vegan omega-3 supplements. This ensures a suitable intake of DHA and EPA, nutrients also found in fish, which are important for reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Capogna’s new outlook on eye health makes her book one you’ll like to keep handy in the kitchen to change your daily diet in an exciting and nutritional way.
Eyefoods by Laurie Capogna, £18.95, Robert Rose Inc.