Menu
Keep reading to find out what you can put on your plate to keep you moving.
1. Good oils
If you haven’t started cooking with olive oil yet, now’s the time! It’s incomparably rich in oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that helps to minimize inflammation. Ditch the vegetable oil for healthier options like olive, grapeseed, and avocado oils.
Use extra virgin olive oil in cooking and on salads and get your food working faster for you. It’s good for your heart and your brain, too.
2. Fish
Red meat has earned its bad reputation for a reason. It’s higher in cholesterol and salt, which can trigger inflammation. To get your protein, switch to fish — like salmon, snapper, tuna, cod, halibut, and bass — that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which also help to reduce inflammation.
If you’re absolutely craving a steak, opt for grass-fed beef. It’s higher in healthy omega acids.
3. Nuts
Between meals, try nut. Some great choices include:
They’re also high in omega-3 fatty acids and make a great snack. Sunflower seeds also share some of these nutty benefits.
4. Fruits
You can also try replacing processed snack foods with an array of fruits like:
According to the Arthritis Foundation, the antioxidants in fresh fruits and veggies help your body fight off free radicals that can cause cellular damage.
5. Garlic
Garlic: It tastes so good we put up with the bad breath afterward. But our powerful little friend also packs a wallop in the healthy-foods department and works great for swollen joints, according to this study from 2009.
Combine garlic with the herbs listed in the next p for some delicious upgrades to your cooking. And for date night, use some mint leaves to clean up your breath. They’ll help your swelling, too.
6. Herbs
Herbs have been used for centuries to promote health and healing. Fresh herbs, like basil, thyme, and oregano are delicious choices to use in your cooking and can be a great source of antioxidants.
A 2010 review even showed that certain herbs like curcumin and chili pepper have compounds that can fight inflammation and may reduce pain.
7. Chocolate
Thankfully, eating healthy doesn’t mean missing out on the sweet stuff. Chocolate — yes, chocolate — that’s at least 70 percent pure cocoa is the way to go.
Other desserts that are low in fats and heavy in the fruits and nuts mentioned earlier are also great ways to keep inflammation down.
8. Tea time
Besides reducing your risk of heart disease and cancer, green tea also stages an anti-inflammatory fight inside your body, according to research.
Drink it hot or cold and add some lemon juice to perk up the tea’s flavor — and kick up the antioxidants.
9. Beans
Try swapping a meat protein for a serving of beans — about 1 cup has 15 grams of protein. They’re not only affordable, they’re also packed with fiber and phytonutrients, which help decrease inflammation.
They even have folic acid and important minerals, including:
10. Onions
Onions are full of nutritious antioxidants, and may in fact reduce:
Add them to the base of your soups, sauté them in your favorite sauce, eat them raw in a sandwich, or toss them in an easy, nutritious stir-fry to instantly reap the benefits! And in case you’re worried, follow our tips to get rid of onion breath!
11. High fiber foods
Fiber is known to lower C-reactive protein (CRP), a substance found in our blood that suggests the presence of inflammation. Foods high in fiber include:
Consuming whole grains made with the entire grain kernel, such as oatmeal, bulgur, brown rice, quinoa, and whole-wheat flour ensure a higher level of nutritious fiber. But if you have a gluten allergy, whole grains made of wheat can inversely contribute drastically to your inflammation.
12. Avocado
Unlike most fruits, the avocado is rich in monounsaturated fat and high in vitamin E — two anti-inflammatory properties linked to a reduced risk of joint damage seen in early osteoarthritis.
Eating avocados regularly can also contribute to regulating cholesterol levels. Avo-awesome.
Foods to avoid
To keep inflammation at bay, avoid processed foods such as packaged meats, cookies, chips, and other snacks. These are often high in unhealthy fats, salts, and sugars, which are linked to inflammation.
Limiting your alcohol intake is also important, especially when taking certain medications. Discuss your options with your doctor, especially if you’re taking methotrexate or other medications that may have an interaction.
Simple choices make a difference
When you make your shopping list, remind yourself that fresh is best because that’s when nutrients are at their highest. And keep these healthier choices in mind when dining out, too. Skip the carne asada burrito and go for sushi: fish, ginger, and garlic all in one spot.
We all should eat healthily, but when our food can help treat swelling and inflammation, it makes even more sense to eat healthily. Coupled with other treatments and therapies, a diet rich in foods with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, could keep inflammation down so you can start living pain-free.
Original article here.