Thanksgiving is undoubtedly one of the most popular holidays in the United States, ranking pretty high with Christmas and Halloween. It is that time of the year when people travel from all over the world to be with their loved ones, and for some it is the perfect time to enjoy fantastic cuisines with family and friends. Planning a perfect traditional Thanksgiving meal with healthy options is not as difficult as it seems.
Healthy eyes are probably the last thing on your mind when prepping for a Thanksgiving meal, but there are actually a multitude of key ingredients that are very essential for eye health, and these can be added to your Thanksgiving menu. As essential as our sense of sight is to us, we should all be thankful for a great pair of healthy eyes. We researched tons of Thanksgiving cuisines and here are a few that promote optimal eye health.
A recent study by the National Institutes of Health revealed that a cup of cooked pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and vitamin C, which lowers the risk of getting cataracts and macular degeneration. Hence, if you are planning on snacking on a slice of pumpkin pie after the sumptuous Thanksgiving meal, go ahead, you will be doing your eyes a favor. Pumpkins are also a good source of beta-carotene, one of the best sources of nutrients for improved eye health.
These group of green veggies are packed full of zeaxanthin and lutein, which belong to the class of super nutrients called carotenoids. They can reduce the risk of cataracts and age-related macular deterioration. Go ahead and take a second serving of that green bean casserole, and you will have absolutely nothing to lose!
Everyone must have probably heard this one more than once in their lifetime: “Carrots are good for your health,” although mostly as a ruse by your parent to get you to eat more carrots when you were a kid. The truth is that carrots are actually one of the best foods you could eat for optimal eye health. Filled with beta-carotene, carrots protect your cornea from harm and strengthen your overall vision. So, if you still haven’t added carrots to your Thanksgiving menu, you might want to consider adding them for improved eye health.
Adding healthy food to your Thanksgiving cuisine can be a great way to improve your eye health and also provide essential nutrients for your body. Regardless of what you eat, remember that regular eye examinations are also vital to maintain an optimal eye health.
Comments will be approved before showing up.