Eat your carrots and you’ll never have to wear those glasses again.
Okay, not exactly true, but stocking up on vitamin A-rich foods will definitely aid in keeping your eyesight sharp as a tack.
But that's not all. The fat-soluble vitamin also helps boost immune function and skin health, plus it ensures your heart, kidneys and lungs are working like a charm. And (holy hell!) it might even impact sperm production too. Need we say more?
Your daily recommended dose of vitamin A is 900 mcg of retinol activity equivalents—fancy name, yes, but all you have to do is focus on reaching the number, which is actually pretty damn easy to get from food. Click through and let us show you how.
1 medium sweet potato has 561% of your daily value
Sweet potatoes might be your (and your little guys’) new best friend. For a no-brainer side dish, slice them up, then drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and chili powder. Roast at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes until tender.
½ cup of raw carrots has 459% of your daily value
Those baby carrots never looked more appealing. Pop them on a plate with a few tablespoons of hummus or guacamole for a quick and light afternoon snack.
1 slice of prepared pumpkin pie has 488% of your daily value
We’re not necessarily encouraging you to overdose on your mom’s pumpkin pie come Thanksgiving—but here’s a little license to have a piece and feel okay about it. And outside of the holidays, you can get your Vitamin A by making a simple dinner with store-bought pumpkin ravoli, or by adding a scoop of canned pumpkin into your morning smoothie. (It works great with a frozen banana, almond milk, plain yogurt, cinnamon and nutmeg.)
1 cup of fresh ricotta contains 263% of your daily value
Spread it on a piece of multigrain toast with your favorite jam for a lightening-speed breakfast or snack. Done and done.
½ cup of cut cantaloupe has 135% of your daily value
This juicy melon pairs perfectly with your weekend eggs and toast, or you can double up on your Vitamin A power foods and top a slice or two of cantaloupe with some ricotta cheese. It’ll make for a satisfying, protein-rich breakfast or a great post-workout recovery snack.