15 Easy Lunches That Can Help Reduce Inflammation (2024)

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Danielle DeAngelis

15 Easy Lunches That Can Help Reduce Inflammation (1)

Danielle DeAngelis

Danielle DeAngelis is a journalist and Associate News & Trending Editor for EatingWell. Her current beat is focused on food and health news as well as exclusive celebrity features, regularly interviewing the top names of today’s entertainment industry. She previous worked as the 2022-23 fellow and as an assistant editor for the brand. Her passion for reading, writing and eating local all guide her in her position at EatingWell.

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Published on September 10, 2022

Reviewed by Dietitian

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

15 Easy Lunches That Can Help Reduce Inflammation (2)

Reviewed by DietitianJessica Ball, M.S., RD

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, is nutrition editor for EatingWell. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition toEatingWell, her work has appeared inFood & Wine,Real Simple,Parents,Better Homes and GardensandMyRecipes.

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15 Easy Lunches That Can Help Reduce Inflammation (3)

Sometimes you just need something quick and nourishing for a midday meal, and these simple lunches provide just that without sacrificing flavor. Packed with ingredients like avocado, beets, eggs and tuna, these lunches are well-suited for those looking to reduce inflammation as they can help relieve its pesky symptoms like joint stiffness, mental fog and high blood pressure. Recipes like our Pickled Beet, Arugula & Herbed Goat Cheese Sandwich and Lemony Lentil Salad with Feta only require one step to make and are easy packable options for the work week.

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Pickled Beet, Arugula & Herbed Goat Cheese Sandwich

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This pickled beet, arugula and goat cheese sandwich is peppery with creamy notes from the goat cheese and sweet and tangy undertones from the pickled beets. Chopped walnuts add nuttiness and crunch to this easy sandwich.

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Lemony Lentil Salad with Feta

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This delicious and healthy lentil salad comes together in just 30 minutes and makes a wonderful hot-weather meal. Serve with whole-wheat pitas, if desired.

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Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps

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We love the retro vibe of these egg salad lettuce wraps. Iceberg lettuce makes a perfect low-carb swap for bread to serve the egg salad.

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Guacamole Chopped Salad

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All of the delicious guacamole flavors you love in a healthy veggie-packed salad. Want to pump up the protein? Add leftover roast chicken or sautéed shrimp. Serve with tortilla chips on the side (or crumbled over the top) to take it up a notch.

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Veggie & Hummus Sandwich

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This mile-high vegetable and hummus sandwich makes the perfect heart-healthy vegetarian lunch to go. Mix it up with different flavors of hummus and different types of vegetables depending on your mood.

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Mediterranean Tuna-Spinach Salad

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This tuna salad recipe gets an upgrade with olives, feta and a tahini dressing. Served over baby spinach, this is the perfect easy and light lunch or dinner salad.

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Loaded Cucumber & Avocado Sandwich

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This loaded cucumber-and-avocado sandwich is filled with creamy avocado and crispy cucumbers. Ricotta cheese mixed with extra-sharp Cheddar adds flavor while sliced red peppers offer a splash of color.

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Cucumber, Tomato & Arugula Salad with Hummus

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Tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and feta top arugula in this quick Greek-inspired salad. Served with whole-wheat pita and prepared hummus, it makes a filling, yet healthy lunch.

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Salmon Salad-Stuffed Avocado

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Good-quality canned salmon is high in protein and brain-loving omega-3 fatty acids. Mix it with pesto-spiked yogurt and pile it old-school style into a halved avocado for a quick healthy lunch.

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Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries

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This quick egg scramble with hearty bread is one of the best breakfasts for weight loss. It combines weight-loss power foods, eggs and raspberries, with filling whole-grain toast and nutrient-packed spinach. The protein and fiber help fill you up and the whole meal clocks in at just under 300 calories.

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Edamame & Veggie Rice Bowl

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The ingredients in this vegan grain bowl recipe can be prepped ahead for an easy lunch to pack for work. The tangy citrus dressing is a refreshing flavor with the sweet caramel of the roasted sheet-pan veggies.

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White Bean & Avocado Sandwich

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White beans mash seamlessly into a creamy protein-packed spread for a satisfying healthy sandwich that makes for an easy lunch or dinner. Mix it up by trying it with canned chickpeas or black beans. This vegetarian sandwich recipe is also a fiber superstar: avocado, beans, greens and whole-wheat bread team up to give it 15 grams of fiber, more than half of what most women should aim for in a day.

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Mashed Chickpea Salad with Dill & Capers

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This creamy yet light vegan salad is full of bright, herby goodness. On its own, it's great to serve alongside a sandwich or veggie burger in place of potato salad or coleslaw. You can also make it into a light lunch by adding a handful of arugula to enjoy it as a green salad. Double the recipe and refrigerate to have on hand throughout the week.

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Smoked Salmon, Egg & Pickled Beet Bagel Sandwich

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This veggie-packed Scandinavian-style riff on a lox bagel adds cucumbers, pickled beets and fresh dill for flavor and crunch.

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Meal-Prep Vegan Lettuce Wraps

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For these meal-prep-friendly lettuce wraps, we swap the traditional warm filling for a cold plant-based bean salad filling loaded with fresh herbs and lemon. Topping each lettuce leaf with a little quinoa before adding the filling helps to keep the lettuce from getting soggy.

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15 Easy Lunches That Can Help Reduce Inflammation (2024)

FAQs

What are the 15 anti-inflammatory foods? ›

Anti-inflammatory foods
  • tomatoes.
  • olive oil.
  • green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards.
  • nuts like almonds and walnuts.
  • fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines.
  • fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges.
Mar 26, 2024

What is the number one food to fight inflammation? ›

Research shows that vitamin K-rich leafy greens like spinach and kale, berries, and yellow and orange fruits and vegetables may be particularly protective. Whole grains. The fiber in oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat bread, and other whole grains may help with inflammation. Beans.

What should I eat to reduce inflammation in my body? ›

Healthy eating tips to help reduce inflammation
  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. ...
  • Choose high-fiber carbohydrates. ...
  • Eat more fiber. ...
  • Choose plant-based and leaner animal protein sources. ...
  • Be conscious of your fat sources. ...
  • Reduce the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in the diet. ...
  • Reduce your sugar intake. ...
  • Limit or avoid alcohol.
Nov 16, 2023

What is the #1 best drink to reduce inflammation? ›

What is the #1 best drink to reduce inflammation?
  • baking soda and water.
  • parsley and ginger green juice.
  • lemon and turmeric tonic.
  • bone broth.
  • functional food smoothie.
  • matcha tea.
  • greens and berry smoothie.

Can I eat eggs on anti-inflammatory diet? ›

Can You Eat Eggs On An Anti-Inflammatory Diet? Eggs are a highly nutritious food that can provide various anti-inflammatory benefits when consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

What meats are anti-inflammatory? ›

In fact, pasture-raised chickens, pigs, lambs, and cows have higher levels of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids and lower levels of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids than corn-fed animals. Research even shows less disease among people who opt for meat from grass-fed animals over conventional.

What are the 10 worst inflammatory foods? ›

Here are the top ten worst offending foods that can trigger or cause inflammation:
  • Dairy Products. ...
  • Wheat, Rye, and Barley. ...
  • Fried Foods. ...
  • Refined Flour. ...
  • Red Meat. ...
  • Processed Corn. ...
  • Artificial Chemicals and Additives. ...
  • Trans Fats. Trans fats, aside from causing cancer, also create low-density lipoproteins, which feed inflammation.
Dec 9, 2023

Are eggs inflammatory? ›

According to a 2020 review, eggs contain substances such as trimethylamine-N-oxide, omega-6 fatty acids, and arachidonic acid, which can promote inflammation. However, a 2019 study on adults found no connection between egg consumption and inflammatory biomarkers in the blood.

Are bananas good for inflammation? ›

Bananas contain magnesium and potassium and also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These components may help bone density and alleviate arthritis symptoms. Eating foods that are part of an anti-inflammatory diet may also help reduce arthritis symptoms.

What is the fastest way to recover from inflammation? ›

Follow these six tips for reducing inflammation in your body:
  1. Load up on anti-inflammatory foods. ...
  2. Cut back or eliminate inflammatory foods. ...
  3. Control blood sugar. ...
  4. Make time to exercise. ...
  5. Lose weight. ...
  6. Manage stress.
Mar 29, 2024

How long does it take to reduce inflammation through diet? ›

Unlike pain medications, which may take just minutes to work, an anti-inflammatory diet may not produce its full effects for several days or even several weeks. The effects may be difficult to notice because they are gradual, so people are advised to keep a journal to track changes in symptoms.

Is Chicken an anti-inflammatory? ›

However, it is important to note that the research does not mention chicken as an anti-inflammatory food either. Therefore, while chicken may not be considered as a food that promotes inflammation, you want to consume it in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.

What can I drink before bed for inflammation? ›

Green and White Teas

Rich in polyphenols and catechins, these teas come with properties that not only reduce inflammation but can also regulate your immune system, which can be helpful in protecting the body against the cold during the winter.

How do I reduce inflammation ASAP? ›

There are several common-sense things you can do to protect yourself against inflammation:
  1. Get some sleep. You should try to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. ...
  2. Get some exercise. ...
  3. Put more spice in your life. ...
  4. Skip a few meals. ...
  5. Eat your greens. ...
  6. Try Yoga. ...
  7. Ease up on alcohol. ...
  8. Lose some weight.
Jul 18, 2023

What can I drink at night for inflammation? ›

Here are seven research-backed drinks that can help fight inflammation in your body.
  • Baking soda + water. ...
  • Parsley + ginger green juice. ...
  • Lemon + turmeric tonic. ...
  • Bone broth. ...
  • Functional food smoothie. ...
  • Matcha anti-inflammatory tonic. ...
  • Greens and berries smoothie.
Mar 16, 2023

What is the strongest anti-inflammatory fruit? ›

The 7 Best Fruits for Fighting Inflammation
  • Cherries.
  • Strawberries.
  • Watermelon.
  • Apples.
  • Pineapple.
  • Avocado.
  • Blueberries.
Aug 7, 2023

Is peanut butter inflammatory or anti-inflammatory? ›

Are peanuts inflammatory? The short answer is no, and in fact, peanuts and some peanut products like peanut butter have been shown to be anti-inflammatory. Inflammation in the body is a mechanism thought to be at the center of the majority of chronic diseases.

What is the fastest way to reduce joint inflammation? ›

RICE method.

If you think your joint inflammation is due to a sudden injury, the RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method is the first line of treatment to reduce pain and swelling. See an orthopedist if the pain and swelling don't diminish after RICE treatment.

Are bananas anti-inflammatory? ›

Bananas contain magnesium and potassium and also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These components may help bone density and alleviate arthritis symptoms. Eating foods that are part of an anti-inflammatory diet may also help reduce arthritis symptoms.

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