The Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan (2024)

Eating an anti-inflammatory diet is one way to reduce inflammation in your body. We have a delicious family-friendly Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan to help you!

The Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan (1)

What Does Inflammation Do In Our Bodies?

Inflammation might be responsible for more health problems in our country than we realize! Research is showing cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, Alzheimer’s, asthma, eczema, (and of course anything ending with the term -itis) and much much more all have one, underlying cause: Inflammation! Inflammation itself isn’t a bad thing. It’s our bodies natural way to respond to stress or foreign particles. The problem is when this response is chronic, our body gets damaged.

You may wonder what this has to do with children? These chronic issues are usually the LAST symptom! Inflammation begins long before disease or death. And in the case of asthma and eczema, we all know many children are suffering from those while they are young. In an upcoming PBS special, Brenda Watson makes the connection between our diet, our digestive system, and inflammation. I found it super enlightening as of course, I’ve always believed our diet has the biggest impact on our health.

What foods contribute to inflammation?

  • SUGAR
  • Saturated Fats
  • Trans fats
  • Eating a diet high in omega-6 and low in omega-3 is associated with increasing levels of cytokines — proteins released from cells that trigger inflammation (source)
  • Processed foods
  • Refined grains

What foods help decrease inflammation?

Dr. Weil has a good list.

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Fish
  • Seeds
  • Nuts
  • Herbs and Spices
  • Beans

Whether you decide controlling inflammation is the way to better health, or not, you would have to agree, that decreasing the foods that we believe contribute to the problem, and increasing the healing foods, is definitely a good thing!

One Week Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan

This meal plan includes all of the links for each recipe. If you would like to print this, scroll down for the printable version!

BreakfastLunchSnackDinner
MonStrawberry Banana Steel Cut Oats Hummus and
Chicken Wraps
Apple
Chips
Salmon, Roasted Sweet Potato,
Green Beans
Tues Salmon Frittata Fruity RiceCitrus Salad
with
Greek Yogurt
Asian Vegetable Salad
WedCheesy
Spinach Bites
Chef SaladTrail MixGreek Stuffed
Tomatoes with
Rice Filling
Thurs Strawberry
Spinach
Smoothie
Tuna Salad SandwichCottage Cheese +Salsa on CrackersTuscan White
Bean Stew
FriSteel Cut Oats + BerriesVeggie Wrap
withHummus
Almonds + CraisinsRosemary
Chicken with
Roasted
Vegetables

FREE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PRINTABLE MEAL PLAN

The Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan (3)

Natalie Monson

I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.

Learn More about Natalie

Hi Amy- this is definitely food for thought! (no pun intended… I swear!)

I’ve been a firm believer for some time that there should be no leeway in a child’s diet- if we think its bad for us, why should we give it to our kids?

I think that a healthy diet such as the one describe here, and staying away from processed foods is without a doubt the BEST way to keep children fit, healthy, smart and happy.

Thanks again for the informative post Amy!

Reply

Great information Amy! I can’t wait to see this on PBS. I hope you’ll let us know when it airs!

Reply

Nice! I’ll have to check this out. Thanks, Amy.

Reply

Fighting inflammation is definitely a factor for good health. We use tons of garlic and ginger. My wife’s 70-something father is a farmer and drinks ginger tea every morning.

Reply

This is a topic that is near to myy heart…
Cheers! Exactly where are your contact details though?

Reply

So you know children that actually eat this. Stuffed tomatoes! ?
Strawberries and spinach smoothy for a kids breakfast. Wow!they wont love that. Not only are they in need of this diet, but wont try this. Its yucky. What is there that real children will enjoy?!

Reply

I recently been diagnosed with sweet syndrome and looking for an anti-inflammatory diet. I am confused as some sites say no eggs and others have eggs. Also some say no nightshade veggies, while your recipes look good they still include these. Not sure what to eat

Reply

Hi June, thanks for reaching out. I’m not familiar with the details of your diagnosis so I can’t comment on that specifically. But we believe that a balanced diet of minimally processed foods and plenty of fruit and vegetables is the best way to support your overall health. From our perspective, eggs and nightshade veggies are part of a nutritious diet. But if you have questions about specific ingredients, please do take them to your doctor.

Reply

I would say sugar and processed foods make 80% of inflammatory foods. I changed my diet in last few years, trying to consume more fresh vegetables and fruits, also I made green tea my number 1 drink to help me add more antioxidants in my body.

Reply

The Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan (2024)

FAQs

Is there any truth to anti-inflammatory diet? ›

Incorporating an anti-inflammatory diet with lifestyle modifications and medical therapies can provide long-term risk reduction of chronic, noncommunicable disease processes such as cardiovascular disease, malignancies, and neurocognitive decline.

What is the number 1 anti-inflammatory diet? ›

In terms of well-known diets, the Mediterranean diet may be the most beneficial in helping people get inflammation under control. It emphasizes omega-3s, vitamin C, polyphenols, fiber-rich foods and other known inflammation fighters.

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 three 3 inflammatory foods you should eliminate from your diet? ›

Foods that can be inflammatory: Highly processed foods, like corn chips, fried foods and too much red meat, sugar, wheat, rye and barley in people with gluten allergies of celiac disease.

How long does it take for anti-inflammatory diet to reduce inflammation? ›

Unlike pain medications, which may take just minutes to work, an anti-inflammatory diet may not produce its full effects for several days or even several weeks. The effects may be difficult to notice because they are gradual, so people are advised to keep a journal to track changes in symptoms.

What is the fastest way to reduce inflammation in the body? ›

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. 4. Make time to exercise. ...
  5. Lose weight. ...
  6. Manage stress.
Mar 29, 2024

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.

What are the best anti-inflammatory protein foods? ›

Preferred Protein Sources
  • Legumes/beans: lentils, chickpeas, adzuki beans, etc.
  • Plant-based products: tempeh, tofu, peas, protein-based meat substitutes. ...
  • Fresh fish: wild fish is preferred; limit to three servings per week.

What can I drink before bed to reduce inflammation? ›

Rich in anthocyanins that can calm inflamed tissues, tart cherry juice is the go-to fruit juice that people love to drink after a workout or just before sleeping. As its antioxidants can help improve recovery time after a workout, it can also reduce muscle soreness and inflammation.

What can I drink at night to reduce inflammation? ›

Here are seven research-backed drinks that can help fight inflammation in your body.
  • Baking soda + water. ...
  • Parsley + ginger green juice. ...
  • Lemon + turmeric tonic. ...
  • Bone broth. ...
  • Functional food smoothie. ...
  • Matcha anti-inflammatory tonic. ...
  • Greens and berries smoothie.
Mar 16, 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 drink kills inflammation? ›

Some beverages that have shown to reduce markers of inflammation include: Coffee. Fruit/vegetable concentrates (100% orange juice, pomegranate juice, tomato juice, blackcurrant juice, tart cherry juice, cranberry juice, mandarin juice, red orange juice, 100% Concord grape juice, beet juice) Green tea.

Is cheese bad for inflammation? ›

It's clear that a diet high in saturated fats – which are plentiful in cheese and full-fat dairy products – can increase inflammation. But other fatty acids found in dairy have been linked to health benefits such as a reduced risk of diabetes, says Dr.

Are eggs inflammatory? ›

According to a 2020 review, eggs contain substances such as trimethylamine-N-oxide, omega-6 fatty acids, and arachidonic acid, which can promote inflammation. However, a 2019 study on adults found no connection between egg consumption and inflammatory biomarkers in the blood.

Do anti inflammatories actually reduce inflammation? ›

While NSAIDs are effective in relieving pain, fever and inflammation, they can cause unwanted side effects. Gastrointestinal side effects such as indigestion, stomach upset (including nausea or feeling sick) or stomach pain are commonly caused by NSAIDs.

What overwhelming evidence says about chronic inflammation? ›

Left unaddressed, chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells, tissues and organs, and may cause internal scarring, tissue death and damage to the DNA in previously healthy cells.

What is the truth about inflammation? ›

Inflammation is a normal part of your body's response to injuries and invaders (like germs). It promotes healing and helps you feel better. But inflammation that happens when there's no injury or invader can harm healthy parts of your body and cause a range of chronic diseases.

Do autoimmune diets really work? ›

This special diet has been proven to help bring down inflammation and make life better by easing symptoms and boosting energy. The AIP diet might not work for everyone because it can be challenging. But if you're looking for help with your autoimmune condition, it might be the answer you have been searching for.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 5880

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Birthday: 2000-07-07

Address: 5050 Breitenberg Knoll, New Robert, MI 45409

Phone: +2556892639372

Job: Investor Mining Engineer

Hobby: Sketching, Cosplaying, Glassblowing, Genealogy, Crocheting, Archery, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.