You've probably grown up hearing that carrots will give you night vision or something eerily close to it. You might have even consumed your body weight in carrots hoping to ditch your glasses. Let's cut to the chase and crack the myth wide open, shall we?

First, yes, carrots are loaded with goodies that can help your peepers. The real MVPs here are carotenoids - nature's own vibrant pigments found abundantly in carrots and other yellow-orange-reddish fruits and veggies. Carrots get their clout from these pigments, which our body doesn't produce automatically. It's on you, Superman, to top up your carotenoids from your diet.

Three standout carotenoids that aid your vision are lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene. But remember, just like those 12-pack abs won't pop overnight, you won't get eagle-eyed vision overnight from OD'ing on carrots. If you're blessed with 20/20 vision, shoveling buckets of carrots down your throat won't give you superhuman vision to read the fine print on your sneaky phone contract from a mile away. It's all about maintaining good eye health over time.

Carotenoids can be your best ally in slowing down the progression of some unwanted guests to your ocular neighborhood, like:

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
• Cataracts
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Myopia (you might know it better as nearsightedness)

• Retinopathy of Prematurity

So, how should you get your carrot-fix? Let me tell you, productively munching on carrots can get more creative than Bugs Bunny. Carrots aren't all about the orange anymore, you've got variants in red, yellow, and purple too. But PSA: steer clear of white carrots if you're hunting for carotenoids (sorry, unicorn carrot lovers!).

Speaking of how you cook your carrots, there is no "best way." Microwave, steam, roast or have them raw, baby. Just note that cooking can affect nutrient levels. For sod's sake, microwave nuked one day, steamed the next, and see where that leads you.

And before you panic about whether your veg aisle is stocked with fresh, frozen, or canned versions, remember this - they all pack the same nutrient punch. Although, frozen might have less beta-carotene than fresh ones. Also, the canning process can degrade certain nutrients, especially the big C (Vitamin C), so that's something to bear in mind.

Lastly, keep the phrase "too much of anything is bad" in your head while feasting on carrots. More does not equal better. Overdosing on carrots might not land you in the hospital but you're gonna look pretty freaky walking around with orange skin. Carotenemia isn't contagious but it's not pretty either.

Eating a varied diet that includes other carotenoid rockstars is the way to go for healthy vision. So, great job with the carrot love but let's not turn it into an obsession, shall we?

For those with a family history of AMD, you may want to chat with your healthcare provider about the AREDS2 supplements. No, it's not a new Star Wars flick, but a serious (and long-awaited!) sequela to the original AREDS formula. Consult your doctor or change your last name, either way.

Take this home with you: yes, carrots have their merits, and they're eye-candy (Get it? Eye.. candy. Never mind!) But like everything else, moderation is key. And remember, there's a whole world of carotenoid-containing foods out there to explore besides carrots. So, go ahead and live a bit more colorfully.