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.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines

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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 are the 10 foods that fight inflammation? ›

10 foods that fight inflammation
  • Wild-caught fish.
  • Spices like turmeric.
  • Unprocessed olive oil.
  • Vegetables (aim for a rainbow of colors on your plate)
  • Garlic.
  • Walnuts.
  • Seeds and nuts.
  • Fruits.

What is the number 1 inflammatory food? ›

1. Added Sugars. Americans' consumption of excess added sugars is considered a major contributor to inflammation, which in turn increases one's potential for chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

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? ›

Green, black and white teas are all rich in polyphenols – compounds from plants that have strong anti-inflammatory effects. You'll find the highest polyphenol levels in green and white teas.

Which 5 foods are notorious for causing inflammation? ›

What foods cause inflammation?
  • Red meat and processed meats, including bacon, hot dogs, lunch meats and cured meats.
  • Refined grains, including white bread, white rice, pasta and breakfast cereals.
  • Snack foods, including chips, cookies, crackers and pastries.
  • Sodas and other sweetened drinks.
  • Fried foods.
Jun 29, 2022

What are the 7 most inflammatory foods? ›

These 7 high-inflammatory foods can sap your energy and raise your risk for cancer, diabetes, and heart disease
  1. Char-grilled meat. ...
  2. Processed meat products. ...
  3. Alcohol. ...
  4. Deep-fried foods. ...
  5. Sugary foods and drinks. ...
  6. Ultra-processed foods. ...
  7. Highly refined carbs.
Mar 18, 2024

What drink kills 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

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.

What's the worst food for inflammation? ›

According to our nutrition experts, some of the worst foods for inflammation include:
  • Refined carbohydrates.
  • Processed meats.
  • Baked goods.
  • Sweetened beverages.
  • Trans fat.
  • Added sugars.
  • Omega-6 fatty acids.
Jan 12, 2024

How do you get rid of inflammation super fast? ›

Load up on anti-inflammatory foods

Some of the best sources of omega-3s are cold water fish, such as salmon and tuna, and tofu, walnuts, flax seeds and soybeans. Other anti-inflammatory foods include grapes, celery, blueberries, garlic, olive oil, tea and some spices (ginger, rosemary and turmeric).

What is an anti-inflammatory breakfast? ›

Starting your day with an anti-inflammatory breakfast can help to reduce inflammation and manage the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. By incorporating foods like chia seeds, avocados, sweet potatoes, Greek yogurt, and veggies into your diet, you can improve overall health and reduce inflammation.

What is the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory? ›

  1. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements. ...
  2. Curcumin. ...
  3. S-adenosylmethionine. ...
  4. Zinc. ...
  5. Green tea. ...
  6. Frankincense. ...
  7. Capsaicin. ...
  8. Cat's claw.

What is the strongest anti-inflammatory fruit? ›

From strawberries and blackberries to cranberries and blueberries, these gemlike fruits are particularly potent in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Along with fiber and vitamin C, berries possess plant pigment phytochemicals, such as anthocyanins and ellagic acid, which may be behind their health benefits.

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.

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