3 Ways to Get Turmeric in Your Diet
How to get more turmeric in your diet through food, beverages and supplements.
Isn’t it fascinating that a spice that has been revered in Asia for thousands of years for cooking, dyeing and medicinal properties is now a darling of the health food industry here in the United States? We’ve had turmeric in our spice cabinets for ages because it makes a great tasting curry but suddenly the health benefits of turmeric are all the rage.
You can find turmeric in the spice section of most grocery stores and often in bulk at the co-op. My favorite source for turmeric: Simply Organic Turmeric Powder
If you don’t already have a favorite recipe using turmeric, here’s a little inspiration for you:
Cauliflower Steaks with Ginger, Turmeric & Cumin
Coconut Green Curry Lentils
Chicken Curry with Apples (great “starter curry” for kids)
Turmeric Cauliflower Chowder
Orange Turmeric Cake
Turmeric Golden Milk Ice Cream
And if you’re more of a DIY’er, here’s an intriguing recipe for homemade turmeric supplements made with honey.
Sources: Organic Authority, Care2, Huffington Post
Note: Please consult your doctor for all medical advice.
(Photo credits: Steven Jackson, Rachel Hathaway and Melanie Cook all via flicker cc as well as Temple Turmeric for product shot.)
Isn’t it fascinating that a spice that has been revered in Asia for thousands of years for cooking, dyeing and medicinal properties is now a darling of the health food industry here in the United States? We’ve had turmeric in our spice cabinets for ages because it makes a great tasting curry but suddenly the health benefits of turmeric are all the rage.
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Health Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric, and its active compound curcumin is known to:- Reduce inflammation – making it good for joint pain, nerve pain and even arthritis.
- Boost brain function – helping with memory and even Alzheimers disease.
- Lower risk of heart disease – by improving function of the endothelium, regulating blood pressure and clotting.
- Fight heartburn – by suppression of stomach acid and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Increase antioxidants – by neutralizing free radicals.
- Treat or prevent cancer – by slowing down growth of cancerous cells.
How to Get More Turmeric in Your Diet
With all those benefits, it seems like getting more turmeric in your diet is a good idea! Here are 3 ways to do that:Cook with Turmeric
(There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission, at no extra charge to you. Thank you for supporting Mindful Momma if you do!) Turmeric is a popular kitchen spice, especially in curry dishes. It has a slightly bitter flavor that mixes well with other spices. In fact, if you have a jar of curry powder in your kitchen, it most likely contains turmeric. Here are a few ways to to add turmeric to the foods you eat regularly at home:- Mix a couple teaspoons into soups, stews and stir fries
- Add to a smoothie
- Sprinkle a bit on your popcorn
- Made a homemade curried nut mix
Drink Turmeric
Beverages made with turmeric have been super trendy. Temple Turmeric makes an excellent turmeric elixer in many flavors – I tried a couple at the Natural Products Expo and they were delicious! You can also make your own turmeric drinks:- Golden Milk – a blend of turmeric and other spices and mixed with coconut milk or ghee. Make it from scratch or buy a Golden Milk powder like this one from Gaia Herbs or the Tur Latte from Raw & Root.
- A refreshing turmeric smoothie
- Anti-inflammatory turmeric tea
- Vanilla turmeric latte
Take a Turmeric Supplement
All this talk of health benefits has me wanting to get a dose of turmeric every day. But because I don’t cook curry or drink turmeric beverages every day, I sometimes take a supplement. Here are a couple I’ve tried and recommend:- Gaia Herbs Turmeric Supreme
- Nordic Naturals Omega Curcumin
Do you get enough turmeric in your diet?
Sources: Organic Authority, Care2, Huffington Post
Note: Please consult your doctor for all medical advice.
(Photo credits: Steven Jackson, Rachel Hathaway and Melanie Cook all via flicker cc as well as Temple Turmeric for product shot.)
I cook with it a LOT. I’ve found that a small amount, in almost any dish, works. It’s really nice in soups, sauces, salad dressings, stir fries, etc. One of my favorite uses is to sprinkle some on scrambled tofu … it gives it an “egg” color and boosts the flavor. In fact, it would be a nice touch on real egg scrambles or quiches. Just a pinch in a food isn’t too overpowering in flavor and adds great nutrition. Be aware, though, that too much tends to make a dish taste salty. But that salty quality can be quite useful when trying to reduce sodium.
Love all your turmeric tips – thanks Cyndi!
Thanks for all of the great ideas! I really want to start making more Indian food to get more turmeric in our diet. My husband has bad knees and I have Fibromyalgia so it would be extremely helpful for us. My husband does take turmeric capsules each day.
I love Indian food but obviously don’t eat it every day. Does your husband find the turmeric helpful?
I just bought a big container of fresh turmeric and I am juicing it with carrots and apples. Fairly tasty actually!
I’ve never bought fresh turmeric. Great idea to juice with it! I’m going to look for it at the coop next time I’m there!
I started taking turmeric in supplement form because I could not incorporate it enough in my diet. It really helped reduce the inflammation that was bothering me in my back.
Glad to hear the turmeric helps you Leigh. I’m hoping it will help with some of my aches and pains too.
I love cooking with turmeric and curry powder (which I think contains turmeric). Can’t imagine drinking it! I lice it when something I already love turns out to be a super food.
I cook with turmeric all the time. I tend to add a little Indian flare to almost every vegetable dish by using a combination of turmeric and other spices. My husband and I love the flavors along with one of our kids. We have two more who we still need to convince. I’ve never thought to add it to a smoothie. I’ll have to give it a try!
Great ideas! I like sneaking turmeric into stir fries and smoothies.
Mmmmmm….sprinkled in stir frys sounds great!
I love cooking with turmeric
I have found that the ground tumeric is a taste that I just don’t care for but do love fresh tumeric. I cut a few slices then chop it up and toss it in the pan when I am stir frying veggies. It really adds flavor.
I also love turmeric hot tea. Just a little slice or two dropped into hot water. It really is good.
Thanks for a great article.
I havne’t tried fresh turmeric tea but I bet I would like it. Thanks for the suggestion!