The Power of Anti-Inflammatory Foods, Plus Two Recipes for Summer
Food plays an important role in our lives. It gives us the energy to sustain us. Foods can also alter how we feel, especially when living with inflammatory diseases or disorders, such as arthritis, making the condition better or worse. It’s vital to know that foods can make inflammation worse, which ultimately means you can experience more pain. It’s just as important to know the food that helps to fight inflammation and the ones to incorporate into your diet.
Foods that can worsen inflammation include processed food, fried foods, sugary drinks and even red meat. It’s important to limit these foods and eat a diet that is consistently full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods.
As for anti-inflammatory foods, be sure to include leafy greens, healthy fats such as nuts and chia seeds, fatty fish such as salmon and tuna, and fruit including berries, cherries and oranges.
With the Memorial Day Holiday this weekend, and the official start to summer, we are sharing two patriotic recipes that are full of anti-inflammatory foods, perfect to enjoy on a picnic or at the pool. Scroll down to see how to make the Red, White & Blue Salad and the Red, White & Blue Smoothie.
Ingredients
5 oz mixed greens
6 oz blueberries
8 oz strawberries quartered
¼ cup sliced almonds
4 oz feta cheese crumbled
Salt & pepper
Citrus Vinaigrette:
¼ cup light extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon grated lemon peel
3 Tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons honey
½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Whisk all salad dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine greens, strawberries, blueberries and almonds.
Sprinkle feta cheese on top and toss together.
Drizzle with citrus vinaigrette just prior to serving.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 cup fresh cherries, pitted
¾ cup fresh strawberries
¾ cup seedless red grapes
½ cup frozen blueberries
1 tablespoon chia seeds
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
Instructions
Pour almond milk into a blender.
Add cherries, strawberries, grapes, blueberries, chia seeds and turmeric.
Blend for 30 to 45 seconds.
Let sit for a few minutes for chia seeds to expand.
Enjoy!