Gazillion diet programs all purport to be able to help us lose weight and/ or stay healthy. Many are fads that will not help us achieve our goals. Others are authentic and will. Marketing tools such the Internet and word-of-mouth popularize diets in both categories. Here are six turmeric recipes that will knock your socks off.
The paleolithic diet, paleo for short, is one regimen that has been highly marketed. You may have also heard it referred to as the caveman diet and the stone age diet. Reason being it was based on what its pioneers believed to be the ways in which our paleolithic ancestors gathered and prepared food. If we act similarly, they say, we’ll be healthier (x). Research suggest they may be on to something.
Note the article’s title mentions turmeric. How does the spice fit into the paleo diet regimen? Turmeric is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could enhance the potential benefits of paleo recipes (x), (x).
Benefits of Paleo Diets
According to a Science Direct article, there are several forms of paleolithic diets. That may explain why many people achieve success. The first one was published by gastroenterologist Dr. Walter Voegtlin in 1975. It included fatty meat, very little plant food, no dairy and no salt. Dr. Voegtlin’s theory was that our dental architecture was canine-like and therefore supported meat-eating. Another created by Dr. Boyd Eaton in the 1980s focused on our East African ancestors, and stressed a diet of lean meat on a one-to-one ratio with plant-based foods. A third version created by Dr. Loren Cordain, an exercise physiologist and colleague of Dr. Eaton, stressed a diet of high protein and low carbohydrates (x).
What are the health benefits of a paleo diet? Research show benefits may include lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity (x). Always consult your healthcare provider for diagnoses, accurate medical information and permission before starting any diet program. There’s no medical evidence to support paleo diets curing, treating or preventing disease.
Turmeric
As previously mentioned, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties of turmeric may boost the potential health benefits of paleo diets (x). So, what exactly is turmeric?
It’s a spice processed from the root of the Curcuma longa shrub. Its polyphenol compound curcumin is responsible for most of the potential healing activities. It has a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and religion (x). Turmeric is also responsible for the bright yellow color of curry powder, a staple spice of South Asian cuisine (x).
Benefits of Turmeric
Inflammation and buildup of free radicals and other toxins in our cells and tissues are usually associated with cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative disorders and cancers. Studies suggest that turmeric and the active curcumin may prevent or decrease risk of these diseases by removing inflammation and toxins (x), (x). Again, always consult your healthcare provider for diagnoses, accurate medical information and permission before taking any supplements. There’s no medical evidence to support turmeric supplement curing, treating or preventing disease. Let’s look at some healing paleo turmeric recipes.
Healing Paleo Turmeric Recipes
1. Ginger, Lemon and Turmeric Tea (x)
Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 5 minutes. Calories: 93. Serves 4
Ingredients
1 lemon
4 bags ginger tea
1 tbsp minced ginger
½ tsp ground turmeric
4 tbsp honey
4 dried ginger slices
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups of water. Zest and juice lemon. In 4 mugs, evenly add tea bags, ginger, turmeric, honey and lemon.
- Top each mug with boiling water, seep for 4 minutes, then garnish with dried ginger.
2. Orange Smoothie (x)
Prep time: 5 minutes. Calories: 294. Serves 1
Ingredients
1 ¼ cups orange juice
1 small ripe banana, peeled and sliced
½ cup mango chunks
1 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger
1 tsp ground turmeric
Instructions
In blender, add all ingredients and puree until smooth.
3. Loaded Paleo Breakfast Hash (x)
Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 15 minutes. Calories: 382. Serves 5
Ingredients
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced small
1 lb. ground pork (may substitute chicken or beef)
Salt and pepper
Spice mixture: 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp sage and ½ tsp turmeric
1 large honey crisp apple, diced
3 cups kale
1 – 2 tbsp water or broth
2 – 3 tbsp ghee or coconut oil
Instructions
- Combine spices: cinnamon, onion powder, garlic powder, sage and turmeric. Set aside.
- Brown meat in 1 tbsp ghee or coconut oil, sprinkle salt, pepper and half spice mixture. Set aside.
- In large skillet, heat 1 – 2 tbsp ghee on medium/ high heat, add potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir for 2 minutes or until brown.
- Cover skillet, lower heat to medium, cook for another 3 – 5 minutes or until soft. Stir midway. Uncover, add apples, kale, water/ broth. Cover and cook for 1 – 2 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle remaining seasoning, cook for 1 more minute.
- Add browned meat to potato, stir and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat and serve.
4. Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Chicken Soup (x)
Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 30 minutes. Serves 4 (1 serving has 423 calories)
Ingredients
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 cup golden beets, peeled and chopped
2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped
2 cups cauliflower, chopped
5 cups chicken broth
1 cup coconut cream (or use more broth)
16 oz chicken, cooked and shredded
1.5 cups kale, destemmed and chopped
2 – 3 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp fresh parsley (more for garnish)
Instructions
- In large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat coconut oil on medium heat.
- Sauté onion for 4 – 5 minutes or until translucent.
- Add garlic, celery, cauliflower, carrots, beets and sauté for 5 – 6 minutes to almost tender.
- Add broth, coconut cream and stir until creamy. Season with turmeric, ginger, salt and black pepper, then stir until soup looks golden. Add chicken and parsley and combine well.
- Simmer on medium heat for 20 – 25 minutes or until vegetables are as tender to preference.
- Stir in kale and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat, cool, serve with garnish.
5. Salmon Creamy Turmeric Veggies (x)
Prep time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 15 – 20 minutes. Calories: 436. Serves 4
Ingredients
3 tbsp coconut oil or avocado oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
1 tbsp ground turmeric
½ cup unsweetened full-fat coconut milk
¼ cup water
Zest from 1 lime
1 tbsp lime juice
3 cups broccoli, steamed
3 cups cauliflower, steamed
4 (6 oz) wild Alaskan fillets
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste (for veggies and salmon)
Instructions
- Heat oil in large frying pan or cast-iron pan. Add onion, garlic, ginger and turmeric. Cook over medium heat for about 8 minutes until nice golden color is achieved. Stir often. Add coconut milk, water, lime zest, lime juice and allow to simmer.
- Stir in veggies. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside.
- Preheat a grill pan. Salt and pepper salmon completely. Place skin side on pan, and grill on medium heat for 5 minutes. Turn salmon. Continue grilling until thoroughly cooked.
- Serve salmon and veggies.
6. Anti-inflammatory Turmeric Date Balls (x)
Yields: 8
Ingredients
1/3 cup walnuts
½ cup rolled oats
1 tbsp ground turmeric (plus more for rolling)
¾ cup (overfilled) soft pitted dates
¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a food processor or high-speed blender, add walnuts, oats, black pepper, turmeric and blend completely.
- Add dates slowly until dough forms.
- Roll into balls.
- Roll each ball into more turmeric until coated.
- Store in airtight container until ready to eat.
Paleo Diets Side Effects and Safety Concerns
Proponents of paleo diets suggest avoiding foods such as dairy, starchy vegetables, legumes (including peanuts), grains, refined sugars, salt, trans fats (x). This may be difficult for some individuals (x).
- There may not be any significant side effects, but excess consumption could be problematic. Individuals may exhibit allergic symptoms such as dizziness, upset stomach, nausea (x).
- Gallstone issues may worsen (x).
- Pregnant and breast-feeding women should avoid turmeric (x).
- Turmeric may interfere with certain drugs (x).
Where to Buy Turmeric (x)
You can purchase turmeric for your turmeric recipes at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor for pure dietary supplements. Bulksupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other brands that distribute food and other supplement products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying turmeric as an ingredient in your paleo recipes to boost their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory healing potential? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.
Bottom Line
Since 1975 scientists have promoted paleo diet programs as the best ways to achieve proper health, and to lower the risk of issues such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Their research results seem to render support. Studies on turmeric spice suggest that its active compound curcumin may boost antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that are responsible for defeating cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity, and help us attain overall health. Those benefits may be reason to try healing paleo turmeric recipes, including those offered in this article. Remember there’s no medical evidence to support paleo turmeric diets curing, treating or preventing disease.