In my Delicious Arthritis journey, I've settled on 10 Essential Items I need in my anti-inflammatory pantry. Having these around really helps me to make sure I keep my inflammation in check and my food delicious.
1. Nuts!
Walnuts, Cashews, Almonds, Pistachios, Hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts are so delicious and have the added benefit of fighting inflammation through healthy fats. Nuts are loaded with antioxidants which help your body repair the damage caused by inflammation. Almonds in particular are rich in vitamin E, calcium, and fiber. Walnuts have high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3 fat.
2. Seeds!
Hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, etc have been shown to be immune balancers that help bring your immune back to a steady place. Seeds are also high in vitamins B1, B3, E, magnesium, zinc, calcium, and iron.
3. Turmeric!
This awesome yellow spice has been shown to help the body turn off NF-kappa B, which is a protein that causes a trigger in our bodies that causes inflammation. This delicious spice can be found in most yellow curries, though you can add it to anything really. You can also take it as a supplement in pill form (which is what I do).
4. Ginger!
This delicious spice has been shown to reduce inflammation. Add it into your food for delicious flavor, or drink it as a tea!
5. Black pepper!
Even though peppercorns share the name pepper with bell peppers and chili peppers, they are not nightshade plants. So, don't worry! Continue to keep black pepper as a table spice! Black pepper is considered anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic because of the piperine that causes the pungent flavor of black pepper.
6. Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar!
This sweet vinegar is a natural anti-inflammatory agent. It is best to consume 1 to 2 tablespoons each morning. I highly suggest mixing it in with something. I tend to mix it with something a little sweeter like 4-6 oz of fruit juice and about 4-6 oz of water. This usually makes the process of getting the vinegar down, a lot easier.
7. Coconut Oil!
This healthy fat melts at a very low heat. It is great for cooking and adding a little extra flavor to your meals.
8. Lemons and Limes!
These tart and sour golden beauties are filled rich with vitamin C, which is super important in the synthesis of collagen, which helps repair and build blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bones. It also is full of antioxidants!
9. Onions & Garlic!
These two wonderful gems make any dish taste 1,000 times better. The answer to the question “what is the secret ingredient?” is always either onions or garlic. Not only that, but onions help your body produce sulfenic acid which is an anti-inflammatory chemical. Both onions and garlic have been shown to boost your immunity and have similar effects to NSAID pain medications like Naproxen and Ibuprofen.
This healthy fat is delicious and the amazing compound that makes it taste the way it does, oleocanthal, has been shown to have similar effects to NSAID pain medications like Naproxen and Ibuprofen. (Looks like it is time to make something with extra garlic, onions, and olive oil. Yum!)
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