20 Anti-Inflammatory Dinners to Make This April
20 Anti-Inflammatory Dinners to Make This April. A well-balanced diet full of nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and spices is the best way to lower inflammation. Inflammation can lead to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
Inflammation can also be a major source of chronic pain, digestive problems and weight gain, so it’s important to reduce it by following an anti-inflammatory diet. These 20 dinners will help you keep it under control and support your immune system, too!
- Edamame & Chickpea Salad
Deliciously nutritious, this salad is loaded with edamame, chickpeas, carrots and bell peppers. It’s tossed in a herb and garlic vinaigrette with tart dried cranberries to balance the flavour.
This is a healthy snack, dip or appetizer that can be enjoyed by itself or served on top of mixed greens for a hearty meal. It’s easy to make ahead and store in the fridge, too!
This recipe calls for edamame (pronounced ehduhmaa*may), which are immature soybeans that can be found in the frozen section at your supermarket. They’re a great source of protein and fiber.
- Ginger-Spiced Chickpeas
This spicy chickpea stew is so easy to make and makes a wonderful, hearty dinner. It’s a great one-pot meal that you can have on the table in 30 minutes tops!
In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion, garlic and ginger. Stir until onions are tender and begin to brown.
When the onions are translucent, add the tomatoes. Simmer on low for 10 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
Serve with rice, naan or even with a dollop of yoghurt on the side. It’s a perfect vegan comfort food.
This spiced chickpea recipe is the perfect addition to a shawarma bowl, or it’s also an excellent snack. It’s a quick and easy dish to prepare, and it can be made ahead of time so you can grab it on the go.
- Salmon with Berries
Wild Alaskan salmon encased in plate licking worthy sauce topped with a sweet, refreshing salsa of blueberries, pineapple and red bell peppers is the perfect combination for this springtime anti-inflammatory dinner. It’s easy to make, and will leave you with no regrets!
A glistening, jewel-like array of fruits that resemble raspberries and blackberries, salmonberries appear on shrubs throughout the Pacific Northwest and parts of Alaska and Canada. They’re the first berries of spring and are delicious straight from the plant, or when they’re harvested and processed into jams, jellies and wine.
Often found in the wild, salmonberries aren’t available year round so they’re best enjoyed during their early ripening period. They’re juicy, fragrant and highly perishable.
- Sweet Potato & Kidney Bean Stew
Sweet potatoes are the perfect side for a hearty stew, especially one packed with kidney beans. Served with dollops of yoghurt (veggie or vegan) as a cooling contrast and hot mint oil for a delicious drizzle, this is a comforting dish to make on a cold day.
A delicious slow cooker meal, this Sweet Potato & Kidney Bean Stew is super simple to make. It’s also full of flavour and nutritious – it meets all your vitamin A and K needs!
Add all the ingredients to a 5 quart electric slow cooker and cook on low 8 hours. Mash a few of the sweet potatoes to thicken up the stew.
- Strawberry & Tomato Salad
Using peak-season strawberries and tomatoes is a great way to pack a ton of nutrients into a single dish. Fresh fruits and vegetables in season are ripe when they’re at their peak, so they’re higher in certain antioxidants that fight inflammation.
This sweet, fruity salad pairs well with grilled meats like veggie burgers or BBQ jackfruit sandwiches for a light, anti-inflammatory meal. Add a simple balsamic reduction and olive oil to complete the flavor profile, and you have one delicious summer dinner!
This is a very easy recipe and can be made in advance. Just be sure to add the vinegar dressing right before serving so it doesn’t get mushy.