
wexnermedical.osu.edu Anti-Inflammatory Diet
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• Fill one-quarter (¼) of your plate with animal or plant protein. Choose lean animal protein
rather than high fat or processed meats. Include plant protein daily, such as beans, lentils,
nuts, seeds, tofu, or tempeh.
2. Add herbs and spices to as many meals per day as you can. Good choices include: turmeric,
ginger, rosemary, cumin, coriander, fennel, paprika, thyme oregano, basil, sage, cilantro, dill,
parsley, basil, mint, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. For dessert, choose fresh seasonal fruit. Aim for 2 to 4 servings of fruit each day.
4. Limit dairy products. Eat 1 to 2 servings per day. Probiotic sources, such as kefir and yogurt,
are preferred. Choose products with no additives, such as added sugar.
5. Include healthy fats each day, such as nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil. Use extra virgin
olive oil as your main cooking and salad oil. Remember to use lower heat to prevent smoking
or use broth or water when sautéing.
6. For beverages, drink mostly water. Drink tea each day, such as green, rooibos, and herbal
teas. Limit alcohol. Avoid sugary drinks.
Resources for anti-inflammatory recipes
• BeingBrigid: Functional Nutrition, beingbrigid.com/recipes
• Dr. Hyman, drhyman.com/blog/category/recipes
• Eating Well, eatingwell.com/category/4243/anti-inflammatory-diet-center
• WEIL: Andrew Weil, M.D., drweil.com/diet-nutrition/recipes
More about antioxidants
Antioxidants come from 3 sources: vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, also called
phytochemicals.
Vitamins
Vitamins Food Sources
Vitamin C Fruits, such as papaya, strawberries, pineapple, oranges, kiwi, and
cantaloupe
Vegetables, such as bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and
cauliflower
Vitamin E Nuts and seeds, such as sunflower seeds, almonds, and peanuts
Fruit, such as avocado
Vegetables, such as spinach, Swiss chard, mustard greens, turnip greens,
beet greens, asparagus