Dietitians share smart and tasty ways to add anti-inflammatory foods to your lunch hour.
Some inflammation is actually important in certain cases, like when youre sick or injured.
Hence, the health-related perks of packing an anti-inflammatory lunch.
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What Is Inflammation?
As with high cholesterol or high blood pressure, having inflammation is always viewed as a bad thing.
And while it can be, some inflammation is helpful and necessary.
Victor Protasio
Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is linked to some unsavory health effects.
The inflammatory response helps the body heal itself from cuts, infections, and injuries.
Pro-inflammatory foods includeultra-processed foodsand those high in added sugars, she says.
Greg Dupree
These foods can activate the bodys inflammatory response, contributing to a cycle of chronic inflammation over time.
Certain foods can lower levels of inflammation, due to the various nutrients they contain.
The Mediterranean diet is a quintessential example of an anti-inflammatory diet, she says.
Alex Farnum
These foods provide protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Its a vegan lunch idea, but you dont have to be vegan to enjoy it.
Plus, it gets an antioxidant boost from the kale, Manaker notes.
Her general recommendation is to incorporate veggies for fiber, whole grains, protein, and healthy fats.
), and beets and fennel as veggies.
With avocado and probiotic-rich kefir, its also got your healthy fats.
Caitlin Bensel
These are the makings of an anti-inflammatory meal, she says.
The chicken provides lean protein, Wale says, and this dish also has avocado for healthy fats.
For veggies, its packed with spinach, whichhas been shownto possess anti-inflammatory properties.
Alison Miksch
This lunch idea involves roasted salmon with a bright side salad.
It also contains colorful fruits and vegetables like sweet mini peppers, red onions, parsley, and lemon.
It also contains fresh garlic, which gives the whole meal an anti-inflammatory boost, Wale adds.
This sandwich is a vegetarian take on the classic chicken or tuna salad sandwich.
How does it replace the texture and protein content without poultry or fish?
Its also got a handful of antioxidant-rich veggies like celery, parsley, shallots, and lettuce.
