8 Sheet-Pan Recipes That Fight Inflammation (2024)

There's a catch-22 when it comes to inflammation, the body's process of emitting white blood cells to fight off infection. In the short term, it helps our bodies to fight infections or any foreign pathogens, but if inflammation becomes chronic then it can result in any number of chronic diseases, like diabetes, cancer, or heart disease. That's why it's important to keep in mind ways to fight inflammation.

"Excessive inflammatory responses can result in chronic diseases," says Paulina Lee, RD a registered dietitian and the founder of Savvy Stummy. "There's increasing recognition between inflammation and its link to chronic diseases. Therefore, it is important to regulate inflammation as part of our healthy lifestyle habits to prevent or manage disease."

There are ways to control inflammation, including different dietary choices, as some foods contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help regulate inflammation so it's not a chronic problem. Here are some of the best sheet pan recipes that help to fight inflammation.

Keto Butter-Baked Salmon and Asparagus

8 Sheet-Pan Recipes That Fight Inflammation (1)

It's hard to argue against the combination of salmon and asparagus—especially in this Keto-friendly recipe topped with butter. This high-fat recipe is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to helping to lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attack, and aiding healthy brain function.

Get our recipe for Keto Butter-Baked Salmon and Asparagus.

Sheet Pan Moroccan Chicken

8 Sheet-Pan Recipes That Fight Inflammation (3)

Maybe your kitchen gets boring after a while and you want to branch out. There are few better inspirations for culinary delight than Morocco, and while North African-inspired cuisine might seem intimidating for any newcomers, this simple recipe only takes 45 minutes to make.

While the berries might not be the star of the show in this flavorful recipe, they are what give it its anti-inflammatory properties, according to Lee, who says that berries, along with fermented foods and salmon, have a lot of polyphenols, which help to fight inflammation.

Get the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.

Sheet Pan Salmon Fajitas

8 Sheet-Pan Recipes That Fight Inflammation (4)

There's no going wrong with fish tacos, so it's safe to assume that salmon fajitas would be just as good, right? This recipe pairs a 10 oz salmon filet with red, green, and yellow bell peppers, onion, and tons of seasoning to make the dish extra flavorful. Not only that, but it's also great at fighting inflammation because salmon contains polyphenols, a compound that's great at combating inflammation.

"[Salmon] contains polyphenols, like curcumin and anthocyanins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to support oxidative stress," Lee says.

Get the recipe from Laughing Spatula.

Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Tuna Steaks

8 Sheet-Pan Recipes That Fight Inflammation (5)

Not only is this sheet pan tuna and potato pairing delicious, but it's also an effective way to lower the glucose levels in the meal, thereby helping to fight inflammation. Higher levels of glucose have been shown to lead to spikes in inflammation, according to a 2016 study, so it's important to not only focus on foods that will fight inflammation but also those that will avoid spikes in glucose.

"Lower glucose spikes by putting clothes on your carbohydrates," says Lee, who recommends tuna as an effective protein to help lower glucose levels. Pair your carbs with protein, healthy fats, or fiber to dampen glucose spikes after eating."

Get the recipe from Le Creme De La Crumb.

Vegan Sausage and Vegetables

8 Sheet-Pan Recipes That Fight Inflammation (6)

Sheet pan meals are a simple dinner fix, but this recipe also works great for breakfast. This entirely-vegan meal is not only full of flavor and protein thanks to the vegan sausage, but it's also great at fighting inflammation because it's plant-based.

"Lightly processed and raw fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, nuts, legumes, seeds, and plant-based protein, are the best foods for fighting inflammation as part of an eating plan that's adequate in fiber," says registered dietitian Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD.

"Plant foods contain antioxidants that reduce inflammation while foods rich in saturated fat tend to be pro-inflammatory."

Get our recipe for Vegan Sausage and Vegetables.

Potato, Salmon and Asparagus One Pan Dinner

8 Sheet-Pan Recipes That Fight Inflammation (7)

Fish is well-known for having anti-inflammatory properties because of its high quantity of omega-3 fatty acids, but that's not the only thing on the plate helping to fight inflammation. Asparagus has been proven as an effective anti-inflammatory food. Although this recipe is pretty high in sodium, it's relatively low in calories and fat, so as long as the rest of your meals throughout the day aren't total salt bombs, it's a relatively healthy choice as well.

Get the recipe from Let The Baking Begin.

Sriracha Cauliflower and Chickpea Sheet Pan Meal

8 Sheet-Pan Recipes That Fight Inflammation (8)

Some of the best parts of this recipe are that it's low in calories and fat, high in protein, and packed with spicy flavor. Another perk of the recipe? It's simple to make with just six ingredients, not including the Sriracha sauce. All of the ingredients are plant-based as well, making your Sriracha Cauliflower and Chickpea dinner an easy way to fight against inflammation.

Plant-based diets not only help in lowering the risk of rheumatoid arthritis pain and swelling according to a 2019 study, but they're also extremely effective at fighting inflammation in general.

Get the recipe from Eating Bird Food.

RELATED:50 Healthy Dinner Recipes That Take 30 Minutes (or Less!)

5-Ingredient BBQ Chicken

8 Sheet-Pan Recipes That Fight Inflammation (9)

Making a meal on a sheet pan helps to simplify the cooking process, and making a meal with only five ingredients helps to simplify it even more. While the barbecue chicken may be the star of this meal, the sides are just as important, in this case, it's broccoli and sweet potatoes. The tangy chicken and sweet potatoes might be delicious, but if you're looking to reduce your risk of inflammation, it's the broccoli that's crucial, as the vegetable contains anti-inflammatory properties.

Get our recipe for 5-Ingredient BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner.

"Garlic, broccoli, turmeric, and green tea are examples of anti-inflammatory foods," says Annelie Vogt von Heselholt, DCN, RD, CSO, a registered dietitian and doctor of clinical nutrition. "They have antioxidants and plant compounds such as sulforaphane that help protect your body. You can prevent inflammation by eating a diet rich in foods with anti-inflammatory properties. They have nutrients in them that have the potential to reduce inflammation."

0/5(0 Reviews)

8 Sheet-Pan Recipes That Fight Inflammation (2024)

FAQs

What is the number one food that kills inflammation? ›

1. Avocados. Avocados are often sought after for their creamy texture and satiating taste. But they are also powerhouses when it comes to fighting inflammation.

What are 3 foods that fight inflammation? ›

Anti-inflammatory foods

tomatoes. olive oil. green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards. nuts like almonds and walnuts.

Which flour reduces inflammation? ›

Whole wheat: Replacing white flour with whole-wheat in your recipes will increase your nutrient intake and potentially lower inflammation.

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 eggs good for inflammation? ›

Various functional foods, nutrients and vital components have shown to modify the inflammation response in the body. Functional foods such as eggs contain a variety of essential nutrients and vital components including egg proteins, phospholipids, lutein and zeaxanthin that curb inflammation.

Is coffee inflammatory? ›

The Link Between Coffee and Inflammation

Fellow coffee drinkers, I have great news! Research suggests that coffee does not cause inflammation in most people—even if your norm is more than one or two caffeinated cups. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Coffee may have anti-inflammatory effects in the body.

What can I drink before bed to reduce inflammation? ›

Rich in anthocyanins that can calm inflamed tissues, tart cherry juice is the go-to fruit juice that people love to drink after a workout or just before sleeping. As its antioxidants can help improve recovery time after a workout, it can also reduce muscle soreness and inflammation.

What is the best bread for inflammation? ›

The best bread to reduce gut inflammation is bread made from whole grains. Refined grains, such as the grains found in white bread and white pasta, are known to increase inflammation across the whole body. Sourdough bread and rye bread are both good options for an anti-inflammatory diet.

Is peanut butter 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.

Is rice ok on an anti-inflammatory diet? ›

It is recommended to eat 1-2 cups of cooked grains per day of those that you tolerate. Allowed grains include: amaranth, barley, basmati rice, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, oats, quinoa and rye. Gluten-free oatmeal (Bob's Red Mill) is allowed. Rice crackers and wasa crackers may also be eaten.

What is the strongest anti-inflammatory fruit? ›

Berries. From strawberries and blackberries to cranberries and blueberries, these gemlike fruits are particularly potent in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 6384

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.