Is Thanksgiving Dinner Good for My Eyesight?

While everyone jokes about Thanksgiving dinner being bad for our waistlines, here at Wilkinson Eye Center, we’re celebrating everyone who is eating turkey because it’s good for your eyes. That’s right – go right ahead and have that extra slice of turkey on Thanksgiving. You’ll be grateful you did. Turkey contains iron, which is helpful in preventing macular degeneration and cataracts.

What Other Thanksgiving Foods Are Good for My Eyes?

There are a variety of different foods that you’ll find in a Thanksgiving meal that can be beneficial to your eyes. Unfortunately, gravy and pie aren’t on the list – but a little indulgence isn’t always a bad thing. Be on the lookout for other good-for-your-eyes foods, though, to help balance your diet. We suggest:

• Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are full of Vitamin A, which is an essential nutrient for eye health. Vitamin A helps the eyes stay naturally lubricated, too, and can be a great staple in the diet of anyone who suffers from dry eyes.
• Deviled Eggs: Eggs are a great source of Vitamin D, another essential eye helper. It’s a powerful vitamin for helping to fight macular degeneration.
• Berries: While berry pie may not be your healthiest choice, fruit pies made with real fruit do offer the benefit of antioxidants, which are great for reducing inflammation and protecting your eyes at the cellular level.
• Walnuts: Walnuts are a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that people who consume Omega-3s regularly reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration by a significant amount.
• Salad: Help yourself to a big plate of salad greens that include Kale and Spinach to treat your eyes and your waistline. The carotenoids found in these leafy greens are helpful for preventing macular degeneration and cataracts.

Thanksgiving is a time of celebration and gratitude, but by adding these food choices to your Thanksgiving meal, you can contribute to the eye health of all of your guests, too.

Now that we’ve opened your eyes to the benefits of Thanksgiving dinner, you’ll feel better about going back for seconds. To learn more about how you can take better care of your vision, or to schedule your next eye exam, contact our Pontiac office and call us at (248) 334-4931.