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By Darla Carter •
Q: Please offer some tips on summer eye protection
A: Dr. Steven Wilson, an optometrist with the John-Kenyon American Eye Institute, recommends sunglasses that block two kinds of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, that may damage your eyes.
Tips from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration:
• Look for a label stating that the sunglasses provide 99 percent to 100 percent UV protection.
• Ask an eye-care professional to test your sunglasses if you're unsure of the level of UV protection.
• Don't assume a pair is good just because it's expensive or has a darker tint.
• Make sure your sunglasses don't distort colors or keep you from understanding traffic signals.
• Wear sunglasses even if your contact lenses offer UV protection.
• Consider wraparound sunglasses to keep light from sneaking in the sides.
• Buy real sunglasses -- not toy ones -- for kids.
• Don't forget to protect your eyes while playing sports or working outside, Wilson said in a news release. Polycarbonate lenses are shatter-resistant.
Learn more:
Q: Got any tips for those considering becoming vegetarian?
A: Indiana University
• Decide what type: Many subgroups exist. Vegans, the most strict, eat no meat, eggs, dairy or processed foods that contain animal-derived products.
• Don't miss out: It can be hard to get calcium and vitamin B-12 without dairy, eggs and meat. Calcium-fortified items, such as orange juice, and supplements can help. (For guidance, check with your doctor or a registered dietitian.)
• Don't overdo the cheese: It can be high in fat.
• Keep your diet varied: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Make use of beans, legumes, soybeans, tofu and tempeh as well as spreads, such as tahini and peanut butter.
• Reach out: If you need inspiration, read a vegetarian cookbook; talk to other vegetarians; and find online resources, such as the Vegetarian Resource Group's www.vrg.org.
• Eat meat occasionally? Flexible vegetarians occasionally do this, which helps them get iron, vitamin B-12 and protein.
Have a health or fitness question? Write Darla Carter, The Courier-Journal, 525. W. Broadway, P.O. Box 740031, Louisville, KY 40201-7431