For many people AREDS or AREDS 2, the PreserVision eye vitamin and mineral supplement that aids in fighting Aging Macular Degeneration, causes digestive or intestinal problems when taken on an empty stomach. While the problems, sometimes diarrhea, sometimes nausea, are only temporary and not harmful, they are uncomfortable, could be embarrassing and are unnecessary and do not occur if the over the counter pill is taken with food.
The red pill, which contains all the eye care vitamins that have been evaluated to support ocular, retinal and macular health, do not contain any zinc and so are easy on the digestive system. However, since they are so loaded with vitamins and minerals, they may change how the body digests food and may affect how other medicines work in your body, so it’s always wise to check with the pharmacist or physician before taking them or any medication.
If you’re a smoker, AREDS2 is better than AREDS which contains beta carotene which may cause an increase in risk of lung cancer in smokers.
If caught early enough, AREDS2 can slow down vision loss, and in some cases, may help to stop the degeneration from getting any worse. At any rate, there are far fewer problems that could occur with AREDS2 when compared to how healthy it is for vision health. Many physicians suggest their patients take the pill from age 50 on to prevent AMD and other eye problems even before they experience any symptoms of eye problems. It’s an aging thing and AREDS2 can slow the process.
The pills are available in drug stores, or online, with many sites offering discounts on the 120 pill size container if ordered on a regular basis.
Because it is necessary to take two AREDS2 a day, never together, and best 12 hours apart, breakfast even for those who usually skip it, should be considered a necessity.
So here are a couple of recipes that combine both some vegetables that are good for eye health and delicious in the morning, and are prepared in an Air Cooker in a two-step process.
The first recipe calls for Pesto, which you can buy already made, but try creating your own with 1 cup basil leaves, ¼ Cup parmesan cheese, ¼ cup pine nuts, 3 Tbls. of Olive oil, 2 garlic cloves and pepper. Toss together in a food processor.
PESTO OMELET
1 Tbls. Olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
½ Cup diced red bell pepper
1/4 Cup chopped tomato
4 large eggs, beaten
2 Tbls. Light cream
1/2 Cup mozzarella cheese , shredded
3 Tbls. Basil pesto
In a 6 inch pan, toss shallot, garlic, pepper, and tomato with the olive oil, coating all well. Put the pan in the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring once and cooking until veggies are tender.
Take out the vegetables, and put the eggs cream and salt, if needed, into the same basket, mixing well. Cook for another 8 minutes.
Sprinkle egg mixture with cheese and cook until two minutes or so util the cheese is melted and the eggs are set.
Top with the pesto and serve immediately.
FRENCH TOAST WITH NUTS
2 large eggs
2/3 Cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla if handy
1/33 Cup brown sugar, packed
¼ Cup butter
2/3 Cup chopped pecans (walnuts are great as well)
¼ teas. Cinnamon
Whisk eggs with milk and vanilla until smooth, and let French bread slices soak in the mix for a minute or so on each side.
In a pan over the heat, combine brown sugar and butter, stirring occasionally until melted.
Toss the nuts with the cinnamon in another bowl.
Remove bread from egg mixture and place slices in the air fryer. Drizzle the brown sugar mix over bread and top with nuts.
Bake for 7 to 9 minutes at 350 degrees or until the toast is golden and crisp.
