Thanksgiving is all about good food and fortunately, some of the foods commonly found around the holiday table can also be part of a balanced diet that supports eye health.
No single food can guarantee healthy vision, but getting a variety of nutrients through a balanced diet can support your overall health and normal eye function. The National Eye Institute recommends foods such as dark leafy greens and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids as part of a healthy diet for your eyes.
So, as you fill your Thanksgiving plate, here are a few foods worth enjoying.
Don’t Skip the Vegetables
Thanksgiving vegetables can add more than color to your plate.
Spinach, kale, and collard greens are dark leafy greens that are recommended by the National Eye Institute as part of a healthy diet for your eyes.
Other colorful vegetables, including sweet potatoes, carrots, and winter squash, provide beta-carotene, which the body can convert into vitamin A. Vitamin A plays an important role in normal vision.
Fish Can Be Good for Your Eyes, Too
Thanksgiving may center around turkey, but fish can be a healthy addition to your diet throughout the year.
The National Eye Institute recommends fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, including salmon, tuna, and halibut, as part of a healthy diet for eye health.
What About Dessert?
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without dessert and you don’t need to skip the pie to care for your eyes.
What matters most is your overall eating pattern, rather than any one meal or food.
For people with diabetes, however, managing blood sugar is particularly important. Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the retina and increase the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes is also associated with an increased risk of cataracts and glaucoma.
Managing blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help reduce the risk of diabetes-related eye problems.
Think Beyond One Meal
A healthy Thanksgiving doesn’t require a perfect plate.
Instead, think about your eating habits throughout the year. A varied, balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, fish, and other nutrient-rich foods can help support overall health and normal eye function.
And remember, nutrition is just one part of maintaining healthy vision. Regular eye care is important too, particularly for people who have conditions such as diabetes that can affect the eyes.
So enjoy the turkey, pass the vegetables, have the pie—and have a happy, healthy Thanksgiving from EyeAppoint!
Sources
- National Eye Institute — Healthy Eyes, Healthy You
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Vitamin A and Carotenoids
- CDC — Vision Loss and Diabetes
- CDC — Promoting Eye Health
