We all want to be on the fast track to better health, joint pain relief, and reduced inflammation!
Making smart food choices is key to managing our symptoms and improving our health especially when our body is experiencing inflammation.
Unfortunately, inflammation is inevitable and unavoidable. We experience it when we're physically and mentally stressed, injured, and as we age.
What's more, the typical Western diet tends to be way more abundant in inflammatory foods than anti-inflammatory foods. Favoring the processed, refined, sugary, and fried foods that we seem to enjoy so much can increase risk and spur on chronic inflammation.
We know that it's "easier said than done" when it comes to "eating healthier," so here are five foods for joint pain you can add to your grocery list.
Ginger
Ginger can be a potent anti-inflammatory for joint relief (and it can also help with an upset stomach). Ginger communicates with the pain signals in your nervous system to facilitate a similar “pain-killing” effect.
The good news is: there are many ways to incorporate ginger into your diet! Try cooking with fresh ginger, blending juice, or brewing a ginger tea. Studies have shown that ginger can help to reduce joint pain and improve function for those with arthritis.
Turmeric
Turmeric has grown in popularity over the past few years because of it’s incredible anti-inflammatory effect. It’s known for its orange color and "earthy-sweet taste."
Turmeric is native to Southeast Asia, India, and America and is found in Indian cuisine. It is widely used as a spice, making it easy to sneak into soup or side dishes.
Are you morning latte person? Try adding turmeric to your latte to gain some anti-inflammatory benefits in the process!
If the taste is too strong for you or you’d like a higher dose, you can also take turmeric in pill form.
Green Leafy Vegetables
What makes a food "anti-inflammatory?" Namely, antioxidants!
Fruits and vegetables--especially those with a lot of color--are loaded with antioxidants. The vitamins and minerals that green leafy vegetables contain help keep your cells young in the face of inflammation.
There are so many ways to eat green vegetables whether it be cooking, salads, or a green juice. Fill up your produce drawers with some colorful vegetables and get creative!
Seafood
Omega-3 fatty acids are major players in the fight against inflammation. The problem is...omega-3's aren't efficiently produced naturally in your body (at least in significant amounts), so you must eat foods that contain them to get recommended amounts.
Various kinds of seafood, like tuna, salmon, and krill, contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
With adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids, your joints aren't the only parts of the body that will benefit: our nervous systems, cardiac health, and immune systems function much more efficiently, too. Incorporating fatty fish into your diet is a great place to start.
Not a fan of fish?
Here's an even simpler way to get omega-3's into your daily regimen: fish and krill oil supplements. (Don't know the difference? We break it down here).
Bone Broth
Bone broth is not only a base of many soups but can also be used in a lot of your other cooking. You can think of it as a one-stop shop for joint health due to its high protein and anti-inflammatory content.
Bone broth is such a powerful anti-inflammatory food because it contains glucosamine and collagen, components essential for maintaining cartilage and connective tissue of joints as time wears on.
If it's too hot for soup, here's an alternative: bone broth in its popular, tasteless protein supplement form, making it a clever way to add to smoothies, shakes, or coffee!
What’s next?
Start by adding at least one of these options to your grocery list and seeing if it’s something easy (and tasty) to add to your at-home menu.
If you like to dine out, Mediterranean and Indian food are great choices because they tend to include some of these ingredients (and more) that help decrease inflammation.
Want more guidance on some healthy choices for your next shopping trip? Download our free Healthy vs Unhealthy Fats Guide below!
