Updated on Jul. 01, 2022
What exactly is an anti-inflammatory diet? It can help you achieve optimal health while also helping you fight disease. These are the foods to eat more of—and which to skip on this plan.
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What exactly is an anti-inflammatory diet? “It involves choosing whole, mostly plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, olive oil, and fatty fish,” says registered dietitian Samantha Cassetty, a nutritionist in New York City. She adds that it’s just as important to cut back on certain foods. That includes refined grains like white bread, sugary drinks and snacks, and processed meats.
“Research suggests that inflammation can be triggered by chronic stress, which can lead to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, and Alzheimer’s,” says registered dietitian Maria Kinirons, of Dix Hills, New York. “Also, obesity has been linked as both a cause and the result of inflammation.” Keep in mind that the anti-inflammatory diet is a lifestyle, she points out, not a short-term solution.
Along with other fatty fish, wild salmon boasts omega-3 fatty acids. “While you can get omega-3s from walnuts, flax, and other foods, the form in fish is much more bioavailable,” says Cassetty. The omega-3s in fish have been found to lower inflammation and help protect your heart and brain. “Americans tend to under-consume omega-3s and overconsume omega-6s, found largely in certain vegetable oils,” says Cassetty. “The problem with this is that omega-6s are pro-inflammatory, so it’s really important to eat foods with omega-3s to shift this balance.”
“Compared to whole grain rice, this takeout favorite causes blood sugar to spike more quickly,” says Therese Bonanni, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Navesink Wellness Center in Rumson, New Jersey. “This can activate pro-inflammatory compounds known as cytokines.” So opt for wild or brown rice vs. white rice in your anti-inflammatory diet when you can. “Limiting refined grains helps decrease the inflammatory process by reducing the body’s insulin response, fanning the flames that may contribute to external reactions like eczema or psoriasis,” Bonanni adds. limit white rice. Check out other healthy types of rice to swap out the white variety.
These purple gems have a lot going for them in the world of nutrition. Research finds that regularly eating prunes can help support good digestive health and healthy bones. Their beneficial effects are due in part to their polyphenols, which may have potential anti-inflammatory properties.
“Pastries typically have a triple whammy because they’re loaded with sugar, refined flour, and unhealthy fats—all of which increase inflammation,” say the Nutrition Twins Lyssie Lakatos and Tammy Lakatos Shames, registered dietitians in New York City and creators of the Nutrition Twins 21-Day Body Reboot. “Too much sugar can alert the body to create inflammation.”
One of the biggest baked-good offenders? Traditional cinnamon rolls. “One of the many, many reasons why I don’t recommend these aromatic, bakery-style rolls is that they’re basically like dessert on steroids,” says Jackie Newgent, a culinary nutritionist in Brooklyn, New York. “One of the most popular food-court varieties provides a whopping 58 grams of sugar and 17 grams of saturated fat.” (Beware of these other foods that make inflammation worse.)
This soothing beverage is filled with antioxidants that can do so much for your health, so it can be a good addition to any anti-inflammatory diet. Green tea is tied to a lower risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cavities. “According to the Dietary Inflammatory Index, green tea has an overall anti-inflammatory effect with a score of -0.56,” says Kinirons. “Foods that are anti-inflammatory have a negative score below zero, while those that are pro-inflammatory have a positive score above zero.”
“Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli top my list of anti-inflammatory foods,” says Marisa Moore, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Atlanta. “Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a phytochemical that may have cancer-fighting properties as well as anti-inflammatory effects to ward off chronic inflammation.” Cruciferous vegetables are rich in sulfur and go through two detox phases in the liver, forcing the body to create more enzymes that help reduce inflammation, the Nutrition Twins note. Eat broccoli roasted or sautéed, or shred it into a salad.
Reducing saturated-fat intake is connected with a decreased risk of heart disease, so consider that a typical double cheeseburger with mayo contains 23 grams of this dangerous substance. “Saturated fat has been shown to increase inflammatory responses,” says Kinirons. “In the Dietary Inflammatory Index, it has a score of 0.37.” Limit your daily saturated fat intake to no more than 10 percent of your daily calories. So for a 2,000-calorie daily diet, that means no more than 22 grams of saturated fat.
Ginger does a whole lot more than flavor your food: It’s a very helpful addition to an anti-inflammatory diet. “This health-promoting food [has] a significant anti-inflammatory effect,” says Newgent. “For instance, ginger may play a role in turning off select inflammatory genes, which could explain its potential pain-relieving benefit.” She explains that many of ginger’s beneficial properties may be due to anti-inflammatory compounds found only in ginger: shogaols and gingerols.
Add the fruit to a morning smoothie or parfait, or freeze the seedless version for a healthy dessert in your anti-inflammatory diet plan. Some studies have found that grapes may help inhibit inflammation. Polyphenols in grapes are linked to decreased inflammation. All varieties—red, black, and green—are equally healthy. (Explore these other great anti-inflammatory foods you should add to your diet.)
The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that if you choose to drink, do so in moderation. That means a maximum of one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. And here’s how you should define a drink: 12 fluid ounces of beer, 5 fluid ounces of wine, or 1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof liquor like vodka or rum. Drinking too much alcohol has been shown to cause inflammation—especially of the liver, which helps metabolize alcohol. If you often have a few drinks after work or over the weekend, you may want to cut back.
Try adding turmeric—an anti-inflammatory spice—to everything from smoothies to stir-fries and soups. “It contains very potent anti-inflammatory compounds and has been studied specifically in relation to arthritis benefits,” says registered dietitian Alicia Blittner, a corporate nutritionist and employee wellness manager at FreshDirect in New York City.
These little seeds are not only great for chia pudding but also make a tasty crunchy mix-in for smoothie bowls and energy bites included in your anti-inflammatory diet. “Chia seeds are known for their antioxidant properties, along with being an excellent source of inflammation-squashing omega-3 fatty acids—as well as protein and dietary fiber,” says registered dietitian Dana Angelo White, author of the Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook and nutrition partner with Bob’s Red Mill.
Here’s another tasty food you can add to your anti-inflammatory diet. “Often left at the bottom of the mixed-nuts bag, Brazil nuts are a natural source of selenium, a nutrient that helps your immune system function at its best,” Bonanni says. “Supplements are often unregulated, so it’s best to get selenium from whole-food sources.”
Next up, read about these anti-inflammatory foods that fight pain.
Medically reviewed by 
