Anti-inflammatory foods not only protect you from major diseases and slow the effects of aging, they also help fight weight gain thanks to their ability to stabilize blood sugar and increase metabolism. Mix these anti-inflammatory foods into your diet.
[Photos: Shutterstock]
Barley
“Whole grains reduce fat and takes inches off your waist because they’re absorbed into the blood stream at a slow pace,” says weight loss expert Dr. Rachita Reddy, MD. Barley and other whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, bulgur and steel-cut oats are loaded with fiber that prevents inflammation and sugar spikes. “Without that sugar spike the sugar in your body isn’t convert to and stored as fat,” she says.
Salmon
Salmon helps your body burn off fat rather than store it and reduces inflammation thanks to ample amounts of omega-3s. Choose wild versus farmed salmon because it has more omega-3s. If you can’t stand salmon (we know it’s an acquired taste!), there are more palatable ways to get omega-3 fatty acids like flaxseeds, walnuts and edamame.
Tart Cherries
Whether dried, fresh or frozen, tart cherries reign supreme. A recent study found they have the "highest anti-inflammatory content of any food". That’s a major endorsement. The key is in the mighty antioxidant compounds that give tart cherries their red color. Have them as a snack, in smoothies, on top of yogurt and salads or even in protein bowls.
Kale
All hail kale! And other leafy greens like spinach and collard. They are all high in natural antioxidants and polyphenols, both of which fight inflammation. “They also help to prevent muscle loss that can slow metabolism and lead to weight gain,” says Dr. Caroline Apovian, MD, director of the Nutrition and Weight Management Center at Boston Medical Center.
