As anyone who is serious about their workout sessions knows, few things crush your spirit like joint pain. Whether it’s achy knees, a cranky back, or elbow pain that flares up any time you do more than 70 percent of your one-rep max, you’re uncomfortable and want it to end fast.
While the most common approaches including ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and physiotherapy, the foods you eat can be part of your plan to control joint pain, too.
Turmeric is a powerful herb that offers a vast array of benefits when consumed regularly, including reduced inflammation and decreased joint pain. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. One way to consume curcumin is in supplement form. Another way is to cook with turmeric—and get some delicious meals in the process.
Here are four great turmeric recipes that’ll help ease those joints and get you back in the game.
1. Sweet Potato Carrot Soup
Sweet potatoes are an excellent carbohydrate source. Rich in fiber, high in nutrients, and sweet in taste, they’re a can’t-miss food for fitness enthusiasts.
Have this spicy soup hot on a cold night, or chill it for a refreshing summer side.
2. Spicy Eggs with a Twist
Scrambled eggs and omelets are delicious, but you might be ready for a change of pace. This recipe combines turmeric with a short list of tasty spices, then adds the strong antioxidant content of tomatoes for an incredibly healthy egg dish that works any time of day or night.
3. Cider with a Kick
Apple cider vinegar is well known for its ability to support healthy glucose metabolism and proper weight management. Add a dash of turmeric to the cider, and you’ve got yourself a miracle elixir. Sealed tightly in a glass jar and kept in the fridge, the cider can last up to a year.
Mix it with some extra hot water to make tea, add it to salad dressing for some extra kick, use it as a marinade when preparing meats, stir it into sauces or condiments, or just hitch up your big-kid pants and drink it straight.
4. Easy Turmeric Rice
Brown rice is an easy-to-prepare dish to accompany a protein source. This recipe is relatively low in fat and a great source of complex carbohydrates. It’s good fuel regardless of your fitness goals.