Inflammation is such a hot topic in the health world, and for good reason. Luckily for us, there are several lifestyle factors that can help tamp down inflammation. Managing stress, staying active and getting enough sleep are all ways to reduce inflammation. Plus, there are several foods that can help keep inflammation at bay. Anti-inflammatory foods like cherries, avocados, legumes, nuts, spices and leafy greens all deserve a place in your eating pattern. To increase the anti-inflammatory nutrients in your day, try our number one snack to help reduce inflammation: White Bean & Avocado Toast.
There are a lot of reasons why this snack is so great. It comes together in just 5 minutes, meets our parameters for an anti-inflammatory snack by including a serving of legumes (the white beans) and a serving of healthy fat (the avocado). Plus, it boasts some impressive nutrition. The whole grains and beans add fiber, while the avocado adds healthy fat alongside fiber for a super-satisfying dish that clocks in at 230 calories, 11 grams of fiber and 12 grams of protein per serving. The protein in the toast can help support healthy digestion, muscle repair and healthy skin. Plus, the unsaturated fats in the avocado can support cells’ ability to filter out inflammation-causing irritants and free radicals. Not only can this help reduce inflammation, but it can also help lower your risk for chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and digestive disorders. Plus, this snack can be versatile. If white beans aren’t your thing, you could easily swap in salsa, an egg, everything bagel spice, radishes or whatever sounds good to you (check out our Avocado Toast Formula for inspiration).
Not all inflammation is bad, and some can even help keep us healthy. There are two kinds of inflammation: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation happens as a result of the body trying to protect itself from a pathogen or injury. Think of swelling or redness around a wound or symptoms you experience when your immune system is fighting off an illness. Chronic inflammation is more troublesome, though. It is usually triggered by allergens, chemicals or lifestyle factors such as stress, inadequate sleep, a sedentary lifestyle and an unbalanced diet. In excess, it can lead to joint pains, mental fog, bloating and even higher blood pressure. Adding in anti-inflammatory snacks is one helpful way to keep it at bay.
Our White Bean Avocado Toast is a great snack choice to help you tamp down chronic inflammation. Plus, it has staying power from fiber, protein and healthy fats to help keep you fueled and satisfied between meals. Get creative with your avocado toast by adding other beans, salsa, spices or proteins for a nutritious and inflammation-fighting snack.
