24 Anti-Inflammatory Snacks for a Healthy, Delicious Afternoon (2024)

Get your snack on with one of these good-for-you recipes. Savory or sweet, each of these snacks includes some ingredients that can help reduce inflammation, like nut butters, chickpeas, berries and more. And since chronic inflammation can cause pain in your joints and even keep you from maintaining a healthy weight, you'll want to have a couple of these tasty bites on hand for when you're feeling peckish. Recipes like our Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark and Avocado Hummus are healthy ways to stay satisfied between meals.

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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Energy Bars

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Dates provide all the sweetness you need for these no-bake energy bars. Each square serves up a hearty dose of protein--thanks to peanut butter and peanuts--as well as fiber from rolled oats. Kids will love the chewy bites with crunchy nuts.

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Avocado Hummus

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This vibrant green hummus recipe couldn't be easier--just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) and avocado make this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.

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Strawberry-Chocolate Greek Yogurt Bark

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Lightly sweetened Greek yogurt gets studded with fresh strawberries and chocolate chips then frozen so you can break it into chunks just like chocolate bark (but healthier!). This colorful snack or healthy dessert is perfect for kids and adults alike. Use full-fat yogurt to ensure the creamiest bark possible.

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Peanut Butter Energy Balls

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These healthy peanut butter and chocolate energy balls deliver a mixture of simple and complex carbohydrates to help fuel you up whenever you need a little boost. They're no-bake and easy to make with ingredients you probably have on hand, like oats and nut butter. Feel free to experiment with different mix-ins--for example, dried fruit or chopped nuts--in place of the chocolate chips and coconut.

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Lemon-Blueberry Bars

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Sweet and tangy, these satisfying bars are great for dessert, a snack on the go, or as a treat tucked into a child's brown-bag lunch. Plus, they're packed with everyone's favorite antioxidant superfood: blueberries.

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Garlic Hummus

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This classic hummus recipe couldn't be easier--just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) makes this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.

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Almost Chipotle's Guacamole

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Make guacamole at home that tastes just like it came from Chipotle--but don't worry, our version won't be extra! This deliciously fresh guac is perfect for topping burrito bowls or tacos, or serve as an appetizer or healthy snack with tortilla chips and veggies.

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Peanut Butter Blueberry Energy Balls

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These healthy energy balls made with peanut butter, chocolate and dehydrated blueberries deliver a mixture of simple and complex carbohydrates to help fuel you up whenever you need a little boost. They're no-bake and easy to make with ingredients you probably have on hand, like oats and nut butter. Feel free to experiment with different mix-ins—for example, other dried fruit or chopped nuts—in place of the chocolate chips and blueberries.

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Raspberry-Lemon Greek Frozen Yogurt Bark

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A thin layer of honey-sweetened Greek yogurt is topped with fresh raspberries and lemon zest and then frozen and broken into chunks for a colorful snack or healthy dessert that kids and adults will love.

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Roasted Buffalo Chickpeas

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Soaking chickpeas in vinegary hot sauce gives them a mouthwatering tang before they crisp up in the oven. The result? An addictively crunchy snack that's actually good for you.

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Chickpea Snack Salad

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Take 5 minutes to toss together a fiber-rich chickpea and tomato salad for a satisfying snack.

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Mango-Date Energy Bites

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Sweet, sticky dates act as the glue for these no-cook energy balls. Perfect for hikes or during sports, this healthy snack travels well.

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Savory Date & Pistachio Bites

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A touch of sweetness from the dates and raisins paired with crunch and nuttiness from the pistachios make these bites perfect for an on-the-go snack or as an accompaniment on a cheese board.

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Vegan Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Banana Bites

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These bite-size frosty morsels of frozen banana, peanut butter and vegan chocolate make a perfect low-calorie snack or easy dessert. These banana bites store well in the freezer, so make some ahead and keep them on hand for those moments you crave a taste of something sweet.

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Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls

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Sweet, sticky dates act as the glue for these no-bake energy balls. Perfect for hikes or during sports, this healthy snack travels well. For the best flavor and texture, use Medjool dates--the largest and most luscious date variety. Look for them in the produce department or near other dried fruits.

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Homemade Oven-Dried Strawberries

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These homemade oven-dried strawberries have a deeply fruity, sweet-tart flavor you can savor just by turning on your oven. Enjoy them on their own, add them to trail mix or use them as a topping to yogurt or ice cream.

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Peanut Butter-S'mores Greek Yogurt Bark

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Make a mess-free version of s'mores by using the classic chocolate, marshmallow and graham crackers as a topping for frozen Greek yogurt. Add a swirl of peanut butter and you'll have a frozen snack or dessert that kids and adults will love.

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Air-Fryer Crispy Chickpeas

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Air-fried chickpea snacks are intensely flavored and incredibly crunchy. Drying the chickpeas is essential to a good crunch, so don't skip this step. If you have time, leave them out on the counter to dry for an hour or two before frying.

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Beet Jerky

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You have to taste it to believe it—these beets have all the savory flavor and chewy texture of classic beef jerky but are entirely vegan. Keep it on hand for snacking, in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.

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Rice Cake Snackwich

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Upgrade your rice cake snack with a schmear of almond butter and some sliced apple. This quick sandwich boasts 5 grams each of fiber and protein to help keep you satisfied.

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Roasted Beet Hummus

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This vibrant hummus recipe couldn't be easier--just toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whir away! Roasted beets make this healthy dip extra flavorful. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.

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Raspberry-Pistachio Greek Yogurt Bark

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Mix Greek yogurt with sweet jam and crunchy pistachios and freeze so you can break into chunks just like chocolate bark (but healthier!). This colorful snack or healthy dessert is perfect for kids and adults alike. Use full-fat yogurt to ensure the creamiest bark possible.

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Peanut Butter-Date Energy Balls

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This easy snack recipe doubles down on the toasty flavor of the ancient grain amaranth by combining it with peanut butter and flaxseeds. Pitted dates hold it all together while adding extra fiber. Eat these as a snack, grab for a quick breakfast or serve as a healthier dessert.

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Salted Coconut-Caramel Energy Balls

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A blend of dates, sunflower seed butter, salt and vanilla make these bites surprisingly reminiscent of salted caramel--both in taste and texture. Unlike our ultra-easy mix-and-match basic energy ball recipe, you'll need a blender to make a paste for the base of these balls, but the extra effort is oh-so-worth it for the sweet and satisfying result.

24 Anti-Inflammatory Snacks for a Healthy, Delicious Afternoon (2024)

FAQs

What are the best anti-inflammatory snacks? ›

Anti-inflammatory foods

green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards. nuts like almonds and walnuts. fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines. fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges.

What is no 1 anti-inflammatory food? ›

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

One form of these powerful inflammation fighters is found in fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, tuna, striped bass and anchovies. You can get the benefit from eating the fish or by taking fish oil supplements. Vegetarians and vegans have options, too.

What is the #1 best drink to reduce inflammation? ›

What is the #1 best drink to reduce inflammation?
  • baking soda and water.
  • parsley and ginger green juice.
  • lemon and turmeric tonic.
  • bone broth.
  • functional food smoothie.
  • matcha tea.
  • greens and berry smoothie.

What foods flush out inflammation? ›

What are six anti-inflammatory foods? Berries, fatty fish, nuts, leafy greens, oatmeal, and olive oil can all be part of an anti-inflammatory diet. But it's best to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

What chips are anti-inflammatory? ›

Sweet Potato Chips

Step aside, regular potato chips—there's an anti-inflammatory version that's just as delicious. Sweet potato chips are easy to make at home.

What are the 10 best foods to fight inflammation? ›

10 foods that fight inflammation
  • Unprocessed olive oil.
  • Vegetables (aim for a rainbow of colors on your plate)
  • Garlic.
  • Walnuts.
  • Seeds and nuts.
  • Fruits.
  • Beans.
  • Whole, unprocessed grains.

Is peanut butter anti-inflammatory? ›

Tree nuts and peanuts lower risk factors of cardiometabolic disease, including blood lipids, blood pressure and insulin resistance, among others. Given their strong antioxidant/anti-inflammatory potential, it is plausible that nuts may also exert a favorable effect on inflammation and oxidative stress.

Are bananas good for inflammation? ›

Bananas are also high in prebiotics. These stimulate the immune system through their effect on the gut microbiota. They also reduce inflammation by increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines while decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

What is the strongest anti-inflammatory fruit? ›

From strawberries and blackberries to cranberries and blueberries, these gemlike fruits are particularly potent in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Along with fiber and vitamin C, berries possess plant pigment phytochemicals, such as anthocyanins and ellagic acid, which may be behind their health benefits.

What can I drink before bed to reduce inflammation? ›

Green and White Teas

Rich in polyphenols and catechins, these teas come with properties that not only reduce inflammation but can also regulate your immune system, which can be helpful in protecting the body against the cold during the winter.

What is the fastest way to flush inflammation? ›

The Fastest Ways to Reduce Inflammation
  1. Find the Cause of the Chronic Inflammation.
  2. Consult with a Health Professional.
  3. Reduce Stressors.
  4. Get Enough Sleep.
  5. Support Your Gut.
  6. Eat More Colorful Plant-Based Foods.
  7. Stay Hydrated.
  8. Spice Up Your Meals.
Sep 22, 2023

Can drinking lots of water reduce inflammation? ›

Health experts recommend that a diet rich in anti-oxidants as well as staying hydrated with enough water are great ways to reduce inflammation in the body. Water is specifically recommended because it can flush toxins and other irritants out of the body.

What are the 10 worst inflammatory foods? ›

Here are the top ten worst offending foods that can trigger or cause inflammation:
  • Dairy Products. ...
  • Wheat, Rye, and Barley. ...
  • Fried Foods. ...
  • Refined Flour. ...
  • Red Meat. ...
  • Processed Corn. ...
  • Artificial Chemicals and Additives. ...
  • Trans Fats. Trans fats, aside from causing cancer, also create low-density lipoproteins, which feed inflammation.
Dec 9, 2023

How do I get rid of inflammation ASAP? ›

Follow these six tips for reducing inflammation in your body:
  1. Load up on anti-inflammatory foods. ...
  2. Cut back or eliminate inflammatory foods. ...
  3. Control blood sugar. ...
  4. Make time to exercise. ...
  5. Lose weight. ...
  6. Manage stress.
Mar 29, 2024

What is the best anti-inflammatory snack for bedtime? ›

Check out these eight top anti-inflammatory foods for sleep.
  1. Pistachios. Recipe pictured above: Savory Date & Pistachio Bites. ...
  2. Salmon. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential anti-inflammatory nutrients that may support quality sleep. ...
  3. Edamame. ...
  4. Decaffeinated Green Tea. ...
  5. Oatmeal. ...
  6. Kiwifruit. ...
  7. Almonds. ...
  8. Tart Cherry Juice.
May 12, 2023

Can I eat potato chips on an anti-inflammatory diet? ›

“Eating a plant-based diet can help suppress inflammation,” Zumpano says, “but vegetarian, pescatarian and even vegan diets can still include foods like potato chips, fries and cookies. To see anti-inflammatory benefits, you have to stick to whole foods.”

Is popcorn an anti-inflammatory snack? ›

Foods that may help manage inflammation include certain fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and even popcorn. Following an anti-inflammatory diet is one way to reduce the amount of inflammation in the body.

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