Thanksgiving is one of the biggest food holidays of the year. Fortunately, a lot of traditional Thanksgiving foods are amazing for eye health! As you’re planning your holiday meal this week, make sure these Thanksgiving staples make it to your plate.
5 Thanksgiving Dishes To Boost Eye Health
Put some color on your plate! When in doubt, feast your eyes on a plate of colorful veggies! Vibrant red, yellow, orange and green foods are rich in carotenoids, which are colorful pigments in fruits and vegetables that are essential antioxidants that protect against vision loss along with other common eye diseases.
Pumpkin Pie
Sneaking an extra piece of pumpkin pie, don’t feel too bad. Pumpkins are high in Vitamin A, which is vital to healthy vision. They are also rich in carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and promote overall good vision, especially in low light.
Sweet Potatoes
High in beta-carotene and vitamin C, these are never a bad thing to have on your plate. Your eyes will thank you.
Spinach and other dark leafy greens
High in omega-3s and vitamin C, healthy green veggies are like a super-food for your eyes. Kale, spinach, and brussels sprouts all have lutein and zeaxanthin, which also reduce the risk of cataracts along with fighting against macular degeneration.
Cranberry sauce
Cranberries are full of Vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which work together to reduce the risk of certain cancers, cataracts, and infections.
Turkey
The star of most Thanksgiving meals is also good for eye health! Turkey is rich in zinc, which is a mineral that enables vitamin A to produce the pigment melanin, which protects the eyes. Zinc has been shown to increase nighttime vision as well. We call that a win-win.
Thankful for Healthy Vision
Proper nutrition is only one part of keeping your eyes healthy. A comprehensive eye exam every year will increase your defense against serious health conditions. Many common eye diseases have no obvious signs or symptoms so early diagnosis is key. You can schedule your annual eye exam with Dr. Tavel today!