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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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? ›

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.

“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.”

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.