Get healthy this year with 10 inflammation fighting foods!
Hi everyone!
Confession time. I used to pop an over the counter pill for every little ache and pain. As I've grown older and I've become more aware of the dangers of too many over the counter meds. I've started trying to find natural ways to deal with ailments. I'm not saying I never take a Tylenol (I get some gnarly headaches,) but I try to make sure the headache (or other issues) cannot be solved with a natural remedy first.
Along the same lines as natural pain remedies... did you know that chronic inflammation in the body can lead to all sort of health issues like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and Alzheimer's? The most powerful way to fight back is not popping pills, but in the food you eat. These inflammation fighting foods are a key part of my diet and healthy eating philosophy!
Since so many people have the goal to be healthier this year (including ME!,) I thought I'd share some of those inflammation fighting foods and some of my favorite recipes that use them. Happy cooking.
10 Inflammation Fighting Foods
Dark Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens are packed with vitamin E, which can protect the body from inflammation! The calcium, iron and nutrients in the dark greens are so much better than the light ones. Plus I'm a firm believer that kale gives you super powers.
Try it in...
Crock Pot Sweet Potato Mushroom & Kale Red Curry
30 Minute Kale Tortellini Soup
Crustless Kale, Mushroom & Feta Quiche
Almonds
Almonds are rich in inflammation-fighting healthy omega-3 fats!
Try it in...
Beets
Beets vivid color means amazing antioxidants! Beets and beetroot juice can reduce inflammation as well as protect against cancer and heart disease.
Try it in...
Peppers
Colorful veggies like peppers are higher in vitamins and have more antioxidants! Hot peppers even have capsaicin, which can reduce pain and inflammation!
Try it in...
Vegetarian Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Crock Pot Red Pepper Soup (also includes tomatoes!)
Tomatoes
Bright red tomatoes are high in lycopene! That has been shown to reduce inflammation in the lungs and throughout the body.
Try it in...
Zoodles with Tomato Sauce (also includes onions and olive oil!)
Ginger and Turmeric
These two spices have been shown to help inflammation for centuries.
Try it in...
Crock Pot Vegetarian Detox Soup
Orange, Ginger and Turmeric Smoothie
Green Detox Smoothie (also includes kale!)
Garlic and Onions
Garlic and onions are anti-inflammatory and immune boosting! Luckily many of my recipes start with this duo.
Try it in...
Hearty & Easy Crock Pot Vegetable Soup
Crock Pot Vegetarian Black Bean Soup
Nourishing Vegetarian Crock Pot Lentil Soup (with kale!)
Olive Oil
This healthy plant-based fat is good for the heart and inflammation.
Try it in...
4 Ingredient Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Berries
These colorful little bursts of flavor contain chemicals that have anti-inflammation properties.
Try it in...
Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats
Summer Berry Kale Salad (also includes almonds and kale!)
Whole Grains
Because they have more fiber, whole grains can reduce inflammation in the blood. It also helps that they generally have less sugar.
Try it in...
Farro, Mushroom & Walnut Stuffed Acorn Squash
Note: I am not a doctor, nor am I your doctor. Certain foods and vegetables may not work for you especially if you have a more serious inflammation disease. So check with your doctor before changing your diet!
Want to find this later? Pin this to your favorite Pinterest board! Thank you so much for the support.
Thanks for stopping by today! Tomorrow I’m sharing my favorite roasted broccoli recipe.
Your turn!
Which of these foods do you eat?
Sherry Reeves says
Julie, love your blog and recipes that I would really like, but what about the dishes with tomatoes and peppers. I have been reading a lot about nightshade veggies and Lectin shield. I have a lot of stiffness in my joints and frankly not sure what to eat. Seems everything good for you is bad.
Leo Tat says
Julie, in the past I used to take supplements like serrapeptase and nattokinase to help prevent against chronic inflammatory diseases like heart disease and Alzheimer's. As I learned more about health, what we really should concentrate on are the effects of we eat on our inflammation. So eating inflammatory foods like those in your post and also avoid inflammatory foods such as sugar and omega 6 oils.
Miz Helen says
I just pinned and am so excited about your post. This is a great collection for me, I can really use these recipes and your recipes are always so delicious! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing you awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Barrie says
I love that you gave lots of ideas to incorporate these healing foods right in the post- wonderful!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Barrie! Hope you get a chance to try them.
Patricia @Sweet and Strong says
I feel so lucky that I LOVE healthy foods and eat almost all of these. But I have yet to try a ginger turmeric smoothie, so that will def be on the breakfast menu next week 🙂
JulieWunder says
Hope you enjoy it!
Kristy from Southern In Law says
This is such a great list! I love that you listed all the foods but also rounded up a bunch of delicious recipes too!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Kristy!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says
Such great ideas Julie! I especially love turmeric, ginger and olive oil. It's amazing what food can do to fight or enhance inflammation. You always have such great content!
Pinned!
JulieWunder says
Thank you! That means so much to me!
Edye says
Such a wonderful post, Julie! I suffer from really bad migraines and prefer to treat them naturally (although that's not always possible.) One thing that helps me is eating healthy fats like dark chocolate, peanut butter, and as you said - ALMONDS! Not only do they help with the discomfort, but they're yummy and nutritious too! #winwinwin
JulieWunder says
Such good tips for helping those headaches. I feel for you b/c I get them too.
Blane Sherer says
This should be helpful for lots of folks.
JulieWunder says
I hope so! Thanks!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
I've gotten better at adding more leafy greens into soups and stews and also eggs.
JulieWunder says
Such a great way to sneak it in!
Emily says
OOH Wow; it's amazing that God created so many natural foods that fight inflammation without having to take lots of drugs. My dad did a special diet for about a year to fight a lot of inflammation he was struggling with; thankfully these are a lot of my favorite foods here!
JulieWunder says
I hope it helped him! I'm grateful these are my favs too.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
Did you write this for me? LOL... I need to get more antiinflammatory foods in my diet.
JulieWunder says
I def thought of you! Hope these ideas help. 🙂
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
Inflammation fighting or not--these look delicious, Julie! I can't wait to try them!
JulieWunder says
yay! Hope you enjoy them!