by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | May 29, 2021 | Nutrition and Health
I've been hearing a lot about turmeric and curcumin the past few months. However, as a Registered Dietitian, I hold to a professional code of ethics standard. This requires that I be cautious when recommending supplements used for medicinal purposes. As a result, I ensured my own knowledge was sound before sharing with my readers. This article will discuss, “What is Turmeric Good For?” and also, “Whether it is safe for everyone.”
Last night a subscriber asked about the antioxidant effects of turmeric. Yes, indeed, turmeric has antioxidant properties. This is related to the fact that it is a plant.
Picture of Bulbs
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a type of root plant related to ginger. It is found in curry seasoning and is commonly used as a spice in Indian cuisine. In Asian dishes, it imparts a mustard-like, earthy aroma and pungent, slightly bitter flavor to foods.
Strictly speaking, the color comes from curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric. This root is used to dye certain fabrics in India as well as for food coloring. Examples of some foods colored using the dye from curcumin are cheese, salad dressing, butter, pickles, and mustard.
Curcumin is also responsible for the therapeutic benefits of turmeric.
Why is Turmeric Good for You?
According to WebMD, turmeric is good for hay fever, depression, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, and itching (pruritus).
- Hay Fever – Curcumin appears to reduce the symptoms of hay fever, including sneezing, runny nose, and congestion.
- Depression – Curcumin has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression in persons already taking anti-depressants.
- High Cholesterol – Triglycerides, a type of blood fat linked to heart disease seem to be positively affected.
- Osteoarthritis – Some research shows that taking turmeric extracts may reduce pain in those with knee osteoarthritis.
- Itching (Pruritus) – When taken as directed, turmeric is effective in easing itching in persons with kidney disease. Also, black pepper increases the absorption of curcumin powder. Thus, combining curcumin with black pepper helps chronic itching in persons exposed to mustard gas.
Is Turmeric Safe?
It should be noted that not every plant is safe for human consumption. However, turmeric is likely safe when taken as part of the regular food, as a food seasoning, for example.
The root is used in medicine for numerous treatments. As a result, people will sometimes think, “If a little is good, a lot is better.” This is most definitely NOT the case.
For example, WebMD states that turmeric is safe during pregnancy when ingested as part of regular food. However, it is likely NOT SAFE to ingest in medicinal amounts during pregnancy.
It is vitally important that dosage instructions, drug-nutrient interactions be considered when deciding whether to take or how much to take.
Drug Interactions
Turmeric slows blood clotting (increased blood thinning). As a result, it interacts with other blood clotting medications including aspirin, ibuprofen, Plavix, warfarin, and heparin. So, it is important to check with your health care provider if you are taking any prescription medications to make sure that it is safe to use.
For information on how to grow Turmeric for yourself, click here.
For another well-written article on turmeric, “10 Health Benefits and Uses of Turmeric,” click here.
WebMD also has a really good article, “Health Benefits of Turmeric,” click here to read.
References
Turmeric: Uses, Side-Effects, Dosage, and Warning
10-Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Turmeric
For more on the importance of good nutrition, see these articles:
What's So Special About Magnesium?
Not All Fats Created Equal
6 Reasons you Need Vitamin B6
Diet and ADHD
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | May 28, 2021 | Getting Kids Moving, Homeschooling
Keep Up Dance Lessons at Home
Did the pandemic derail your or your child’s dance participation? Take heart! While nothing can replace professional in-studio sessions, you can devise a studio for your home that will take the edge off until the pandemic is a distant memory. What’s more, it could even become a flex room for your own fitness or hobby activities. Check out the following tips and resources so you can ensure those beloved dance sessions hardly skip a beat.
Build Your Repertoire
Nothing can compare with in-studio dance lessons. The insights of a professional dancer helping you hone your technique are invaluable, but you can use this opportunity to explore some new styles, bond and have fun!
- Keep on your toes with ballet.
- Spice up your youngster’s program with some basic Latin moves.
- Have a blast dancing to family-friendly tunes.
- Work on your waltz.
- Get groovy with disco.
Skills and Benefits
Now is the perfect time to not only build your repertoire, but it’s also an ideal opportunity to build family fitness. What’s more, it’ll help you get through the quarantine physically and mentally, and when you come out on the other side of things, you’ll be ready to take the studio by storm!
Your Personal Studio
Your in-home studio can be as large or as small as you need. For dance families, you might want to designate a room so everyone can practice together. Individuals might get by with a dedicated corner for practice.
- A garage or basement can be the ideal place for focused practice.
- If you can’t dedicate a bigger space, explore creative solutions for smaller rooms.
- Keep in mind that upgrades you make can be reflected in your home’s value.
- One solution is to add a mirror to your child’s closet doors and clear some floor space.
- You can get a mirror kit delivered to your home.
- Avoid bringing the virus home to your family when bringing in materials and supplies.
- If finding cleaning supplies is tough, there are safe DIY options.
The pandemic might have thrown off your family’s rhythm, but there is no reason to give up dance practice altogether. Your own family-friendly dance space is a chance to keep up motivation and fitness. Set up a room at home and have some fun with it!
Homeschooling Dietitian Mom is dedicated to promoting family well-being. For more information on education, nutrition, Bible study and more, connect today!
Alyssa Strickland created millennial-parents.com for all the new parents on the block. Alyssa believes the adage that it takes a village to raise a child, but she also thinks it takes a village to raise a parent! Millennial-Parents is that village. Today’s parents can be more connected than ever, and she hopes her site will enrich those connections. On Millennial-Parents, she shares tips and advice she learns through experience and from other young parents in three key areas — Education, Relationships, and Community.
How to Motivate Your Kids to Exercise
5 Easy Homeschool Lunches for Kids
Preschool – Food Theme Activities
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | May 24, 2021 | Cooking Tips, Homeschooling
5 Easy Homeschool Lunches for Kids
Under normal circumstances, your kids would be eating lunch at school, either a sandwich packed by you or a school-bought lunch. However, the past year of the pandemic required many schools to close, which means that parents have had to homeschool on top of working from home. To make matters worse, not only are you juggling homeschooling and virtual learning, but now you must create homeschool kids' meals every day.
If you’re scratching your head wondering what else to serve your kids, we’re happy to help refresh your recipe book. Here are some simple kid-approved lunches you can whip up while you’re homeschooling. Be sure to have your kids help out with the cooking — they’ll enjoy it and it’s nice to have extra hands in the kitchen, even small ones!
1. Broccoli Mac and Cheese
You can’t go wrong with mac and cheese, particularly not with this quick and easy recipe. Your kids love it and you love that it only takes 15 minutes to make. To make an even healthier option, add in more vegetables like sweet corn or peas and substitute gluten-free brown rice macaroni. Your kids won’t know the difference, but it’s better for them.
2. Chicken Salad Wraps
Your little ones are probably getting tired of ham and cheese sandwiches every day, so mix things up with this super simple chicken salad recipe. With only six healthy ingredients including chicken, mustard, mayo, celery, dill, and relish, this recipe is paleo and low carb. Serve on its own with a side of grapes or wrap the chicken salad in a whole grain or gluten-free tortilla.
3. PB & Strawberry Pita Pockets
There are endless ways to fill a pita pocket and they’re all fun. What food that you eat with your hands isn’t? This pita recipe in particular is a big winner with kids. It’s a twist on a PB & J and calls for peanut butter (or other type of nut butter), honey, sliced strawberries, and banana.
4. Tomato Penne Pasta
Do you have a fussy eater? Keep meals simple and streamlined, like a bowl of buttered penne pasta with parmesan cheese. If they are open to it, you can add a creamy tomato sauce, or serve it on the side. To make this dish healthier, you can use hidden veggie pasta or add vegetables into the sauce.
5. Cauliflower Pizza Bites
A twist on pizza, these cauliflower rice-based muffins are a hit with kids and adults. Along with the cauliflower rice and egg, you can fill your muffin cups with anything you would add to a pizza, from sausage to spinach. The best part is that they take less than 45 minutes to make!
Chloe Kirby is a writer and digital marketing professional. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree at McGill University in Montreal, Canada and her Master’s Degree at Goldsmiths University in London, England. Chloe has professional experience in e-commerce, digital marketing, and copywriting. For the last year she has been working in New York City.
6 Reasons You Need More Fruit in Your Diet
Keep Up Dance Lessons at Home
(Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/joyful-black-father-giving-high-five-to-adorable-daughter-5996905/)
