Spring is in full bloom, and we love the variety of colorful, in-season produce. While you’re preparing meals for yourself and your family, it’s important to keep your health in mind too.
That’s why this week on the Vibrant Health blog, we’re sharing a roundup of healthy spring meals that not only taste delicious but help reduce joint pain with their super anti-inflammatory ingredients. From savory salmon dishes to minty berry smoothies, these meals are sure to tantalize your taste buds — and keep your joints healthy!
5 Springtime Dishes for Joint Health
1. Salmon & Spring Vegetables with Dill
2. Strawberry Kale Salad with Nutty Granola Croutons
3. Minty Blueberry Smoothie Bowl
4. Grilled Asparagus Tofu Spring Rolls with Ginger-Lime Dipping Sauce
5. Springtime Broccoli Crunch Salad
1. Salmon & Spring Vegetables with Dill by Eating Well
Salmon is the star of the show in this healthy spring dish, topped with fresh dill and served with potatoes and seasonal asparagus.
Star ingredient: Salmon
Why We Love it for Joint Health: Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, cod, and sardines are especially high in inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids (which can help reduce pain in the body), making it the perfect meat-free protein option for salads, grain bowls, and light springtime meals.
2. Strawberry Kale Salad with Nutty Granola Croutons by Cookie + Kate
This recipe is far from boring, offering up a refreshing spin on a kale salad! It’s packed with nutrients, including in-season strawberries and radishes combined with homemade nutty granola “croutons” and a lemon honey mustard dressing.
Star ingredients: Kale and raw nuts
Why We Love it for Joint Health: Not only does this salad include a variety of omega-3-rich nuts and seeds, but a diet rich in dark leafy greens such as kale can help reduce the risk of developing the disease due to chronic inflammation. Win, win!
3. Minty Blueberry Smoothie Bowl from Vibrant Health
This minty smoothie bowl packs a nutritional punch with blueberries, banana, apple, flaxseed, and mint, making it the perfect filling breakfast option on warmer days! Tip: Consider swapping a scoop of Green Vibrance or our Joint Vibrance for added joint support.
Star ingredient: Blueberries
Why We Love it for Joint Health: Berries such as blueberries and raspberries are rich in antioxidants plus act as a natural anti-inflammatory, making them an optimal choice for joint health! And adding a scoop of Joint Vibrance will ensure you’re getting the right nutrients to rebuild cartilage while reducing pain and inflammation.
4. Grilled Asparagus Tofu Spring Rolls with Ginger-Lime Dipping Sauce from The Bojon Gourmet
These vegan spring rolls are sure to satisfy all your cravings with fresh, vibrant ingredients like tofu, carrots, ginger, turmeric, as well as in-season asparagus and watermelon radishes.
Star ingredients: Garlic, ginger, and turmeric
Why We Love it for Joint Health: These spring rolls contain a powerful trio of anti-inflammatory roots: garlic, turmeric, and ginger! Turmeric is especially touted for its anti-inflammatory effects, and studies have even found it to help alleviate symptoms of joint arthritis.
5. Springtime Broccoli Crunch Salad from Heartbeet Kitchen
Crunchy, colorful, and slightly sweet, this Broccoli Crunch Salad hits all the right notes for springtime. It’s packed with in-season asparagus, herbs, and green onions combined with vinegar, honey, and zesty lemon for a refreshing twist.
Star Ingredient: Broccoli
Why We Love it for Joint Health: Broccoli is a superstar when it comes to health benefits — and you can add joint health to the list too! Studies have found that sulforaphane, a compound found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, can decrease joint inflammation and help prevent arthritis.
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by a competent health care professional. You should not use this information in diagnosing or treating a health problem. No claim or opinion in this blog is intended to be, nor should be construed to be, medical advice. If you are now taking any drugs, prescribed or not, or have a medical condition, please consult a competent physician who is aware of herb/drug interactions before taking any herbal supplements. The information presented herein has not been evaluated by the FDA or the Department of Health and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, cure, mitigate or treat any disease or illness.