10 Foods To Include In Your Diet To Reduce Inflammation

Ever found yourself feeling bloated and uncomfortable? If you just said yes, you're not alone. Some foods tend to leave us feeling bloated. Sitting on the couch and binging on a packet of chips while sipping a soda or ordering in fast-food because you're too lazy to cook up a meal are just some of the factors that leave your body inflamed, making you feel uneasy. Think processed carbs, white bread, pasta, added sugar and excess salt—these are foods that cause inflammation. But it’s key to note that gut health plays a major role to help you feel lighter and better. While eliminating such foods completely isn't the right approach, having a balanced diet with the right proportions is essential.

Over the years, people have become more conscious of a healthy diet that promotes gut health and in turn makes you healthier. However, if you're new to the concept, let us take you through some anti-inflammatory superfoods that are sure to help you feel fit and fine.

Berries

They say having a meal with an array of colours present on your plate is a wise idea, and that's just what we mean when we talk about berries. Switch your packet of chips for a packet of assorted fresh berries as a healthy mid-morning snack. This will go a long way to ensure gut health. Naturally rich in antioxidants, berries are delicious yet healthy.


Bell Pepper

Enriched with vitamin C and antioxidants, incorporating bell peppers in your diet is seamless. Toss them into a salad, a vegetable bowl or make a bell pepper dip to have with carrots and cucumber as a side with your meal.


Broccoli

A winter staple veggie, broccoli soup is a sumptuous, nutritious and filling option when you want to go low on carbs. Not only are you ensuring yourself of a healthy meal, but also consuming fewer calories.


Avocado

What's breakfast without some avo toast? Top it with charred tomatoes to double up the anti-inflammatory properties. Rich in fats, eating avocado will do away with your intense junk food cravings.


Mushroom

Mushrooms are not only low in calories, but rich in copper and B vitamins. They contain antioxidants that provide anti-inflammatory protection. From exotic mushrooms like truffles, portobello and shiitake, to your daily use mushrooms, this veggie has a plethora of options that you can experiment with. Add them to your risotto, eggs or whip up a delicious cold or hot soup.


Grapes

They can be sweet or they can be sour, but no matter what grapes are a favourite fruit for many. The plant compound found in grapes, resveratrol can reduce inflammation.


Green Tea

If you're looking for a healthy beverage option, green tea should be your go-to. Sipping on a cup of green tea after every meal is a great idea. Not only does it help with digestion but green tea’s high EGCG content reduces inflammation and safeguards your cells from damage.


Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The perfect dressing for every salad. When you're looking for a healthy oil option extra virgin olive oil should be at the top. It is one of the healthiest fats you can eat, being rich in monounsaturated fats.


Dark Chocolate

Whoever said chocolate isn't healthy is wrong! Yes, chocolate with added sugar isn't the best option but dark chocolate is a perfect choice. Satisfy your sugar craving as you swap regular chocolate with a piece of dark chocolate. Flavanols in dark chocolate have anti-inflammatory effects to keep your arteries healthy.


Ginger

Double up the benefit of your green tea as you grate in a dash of ginger. Adding to the long list of benefits, ginger is beneficial to reduce inflammation. A definitive superfood, ginger is easy to add to your diet. Not only is it the perfect ingredient for a delicious Indian meal but can be added to almost all cuisines.