What’s worse than bland soup? Honestly, pretty much nothing. (That is, unless you’re down bad with a stomach bug and plain rice and tasteless chicken noodle soup is exactly what the doctor ordered. Under those circumstances: Do carry on.)
But at most meals, we prefer a lively, flavor-rich soup situation. The solution to bland soup is simple: spices, herbs, and seasonings. We caught up with Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC, CPT, a registered dietitian based in Charleston who shared some of the best dietitian-approved spices for chicken soup loaded with anti-inflammatory perks to season (ha!) the day.
3 dietitian-recommended anti-inflammatory spices for chicken soup
1. Turmeric
According to Manaker, one of the easiest ways to add a beautiful golden hue, anti-inflammatory benefits, and a whole lot of flavor is by adding a pinch (or two) of turmeric to your chicken soup stock. “It contains curcumin, a compound with potent anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body,” Manaker says. Keep in mind that turmeric goes better together when combined with black pepper—and not just from a flavor perspective. In fact, research shows that pairing turmeric with black pepper can help increase the bioavailability of circumin by a whopping 2,000 percent.
2. Ginger
The benefits of ginger are two-fold: it adds delicious flavor to a simple chicken soup recipe, plus it’s a digestion savior. “Ginger is best known for its ability to alleviate gastrointestinal distress and possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can soothe a sore throat or an upset stomach,” Manaker says. In other words, ginger and chicken soup are essentially a match made in heaven, especially when it comes to making the perfect chicken soup for colds.
3. Cinnamon
Looking to add a bit of earthiness and anti-inflammatory benefits to your chicken soup—or any easy soup recipe for that matter—try a pinch of cinnamon. “Aside from its warming flavor, cinnamon is rich in antioxidants that fight inflammation,” M