Common Anti-inflammatory foods that you probably already consume.
Apr 30, 2020
1. Berries
Sometimes I think I moved West so that I could eat berries all year long. My family loves them and they are full of antioxidants called anthocyanins. I love them as a snack or over yogurt.
2. Fatty fish
A great source of protein and the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, salmon is our top go-to fish. I had a can of sardines a couple of days ago which is super easy to eat when you can't get fresh salmon.
3. Broccoli
"Eat Your Trees".
I love broccoli and so do my kids. A cruciferous vegetable, broccoli is rich in sulforaphane, an antioxidant that fights inflammation by reducing your levels of cytokines. We just steam it as my kids like it that way and it's super easy.
4. Avocados
Avocados are a superfood worthy of the title. I never had a taste for them back East in Jersey, but when I moved to LA, they are everywhere. I even have my own avocado tree which I think is super cool!
Packed with potassium, magnesium, monounsaturated fats, and fiber, you can put on toast with some salt for breakfast. ( I put an egg on top for extra protein) Add some to your salads or sandwiches for some nice flavor, or make some guacamole for your "baked" chips!
5. Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice with a strong, earthy flavor that's often used in curries and other Indian dishes. It contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory nutrient.
I've been training a client for over twenty years who was born in Pakistan. She is now 85, God bless her, and has turmeric in a glass of water every morning. Twenty years ago, I had no idea about turmeric. I still prefer it in food, thank you. :)
6. Extra Virgin olive oil
I love me some olive oil! This is the primary oil that our family cooks with but, hey, I'm half Italian. I used to rub it on my belly when I was pregnant to prevent stretch marks. I heard this from Sophia Loren somewhere which I thought was super sexy. We now pour a bit on our cauliflower, add some salt, maybe paprika, and bake in the oven. I used to steam cauliflower but it is pretty tasteless that way.
7. Nuts
Almonds are super good for you as they contain antioxidants and monounsaturated fats. I like to put on Greek yogurt or in my oatmeal to keep my blood sugar stabilized. Of course, it's super easy to eat too many nuts without realizing it so watch portion control. I gained 10 pounds in Hawaii eating macadamia nut brittle. It was fantastic and I was 18 so didn't think much about it. Those were the days.
8. Dark chocolate and cocoa
Yes, our sweet indulgence is good for you!
Dark chocolate and cocoa contain flavanols which can reduce inflammation. You want to buy at least 70 percent dark chocolate, though. I ate some of a milk chocolate bunny at Easter, which was definitely not the same thing, and gave me a headache. (Hey, Easter in quarantine, I'm sure you get it.)
So was I right? Are you already eating most of these?
There are many other wonderful choices such as tomatoes, cherries, and spinach, just to name a few. Adding any of these to your diet is a great idea.
If you stay away from inflammatory foods such as: processed meats, refined carbs, fried foods, and junk food, you will be giving yourself a huge advantage in your fight against illness. With this pandemic not going anywhere soon, we have to keep up our healthy habits!
Now, who feels like having a nice piece of salmon with a side salad followed by some nice dark chocolate and berries? Yum!
Sign up for blog updates!
Join my email list to receive updates and information.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
