January 1, 2025
10 Anti-Inflammatory Desserts That Are Delicious and Healthy
1

Chocolate-covered strawberries

gourmet chocolate covered strawberries for valentines day
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You don’t have to wait until Valentine’s Day to indulge in this classic treat. “Strawberries are packed with beneficial nutrients including potassium, folate, fiber and the antioxidant vitamin C,” says Chaparro, who points out that studies have shown that the anthocyanin in strawberries may reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance. Dip the berries in dark chocolate. Tip: Look for chocolate with 70% cacao or higher, which will give you the best dose of antioxidants, says Karp.

Get a recipe for Chocolate-Covered Strawberries from Delish.

2

Fresh Fruit Salad

fruit salad
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Pick out whichever berries and fruits look the most delicious at your local farm stand or market, and mix them up with sprig of mint or a dollop of Greek yogurt. “Different colors tend to mean different antioxidants,” says Karp. “Antioxidants fight free radical damage and keep our cells healthy. Fruit is filled with varying antioxidants that keep inflammation at bay.”

Get our recipe for Grilled Fruit Salad With Vanilla Yogurt.

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3

Chia jam parfait

anti inflammatory desserts chia jam
Mike Garten

Chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse, containing fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, not to mention calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. One yummy way to enjoy them: Cook them up with raspberries to create a delicious jam, then mix into Greek yogurt and sprinkle with nuts for a creamy, delicious dessert.

Get our recipe for Raspberry Chia Jam.

4

Nutty Chocolate

anti infammatory desserts chocolate mendicants
Mike Garten

Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants that can help fight inflammation — top it with pistachios, raisins, almonds, walnuts, pomegranate seeds, pepitas, freeze-dried raspberries… you get the idea, and you get a crunchy, sweet confection that fights inflammation with every bite.

Get our recipe for Chocolate Mendiants.

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5

Sriracha Mixed Nuts

anti inflammatory desserts mixed nuts
Mike Garten

Sometimes you want something more savory than sweet as your after-dinner treat, and these spicy mixed nuts will satisfy that itch. And many nuts are rich in vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin that works to flight inflammation, says Karp.

Get our recipe for Sriracha Mixed Nuts.

6

Pie Spiced Baked Apples

anti inflammatory desserts baked apples
Mike Garten

Get the irresistible flavor of an apple pie without the crust and all that extra butter by slicing a Honeycrisp, Pink Lady or GH Nutritionist-Approved Cosmic Crisp in half and baking it, which intensifies the fruit’s natural sweetness. Sprinkle on plenty of cinnamon, which is is rich in the antioxidant group polyphenols and add nuts for even more anti inflammatory power. (Skip the ice cream and eat the apples on their own, or top with Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.)

Get our recipe for Pie-Spiced Baked Apples.

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7

Avocado Mousse

anti inflammatory desserts avovado mousse
Armando Rafael

When you’re craving something creamy and chocolaty, this classic dessert will hit the spot, and the secret ingredient — avocado! — adds heart-healthy fiber. You can use unsweetened cacao or cacao powder to cut down on added sugar, making it an anti-inflammatory treat.

Get the recipe for Avocado Mousse at Prevention.

8

Arroz con Leche

anti inflammatory desserts arroz con leche
Victor Manuel Mulero Ramirez//Getty Images

This Spanish/Latin American rice pudding is traditionally made with white rice, milk, condensed milk and cinnamon, but a few swaps can make it as healthy as it is delicious: “A simple way to increase the fiber is by changing to ½ brown rice or even bulgur or another unique grain, adding chia seeds or flax seeds, and replacing the condensed milk with maple syrup,” says Chaparro. “The whole milk makes it creamy, and adds protein, calcium, vitamin, D, potassium and more.”

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9

Chickpea Blondies

anti inflammatory desserts chickpea blondies
Marissa Karp

“Instead of using traditional white flour, these blondies get a fiber boost from the chickpeas,” says Karp. “I make a batch ahead of time and keep them in my freezer for when I need a sweet treat.” Add in dried fruit, nuts, and plenty of cinnamon to up the anti-inflammatory profile.

Get the recipe for Chickpea Blondies at MPM Nutrition.

10

Banana Bread

anti inflammatory desserts banana bread
Marissa Karp

Who doesn’t love to relive their childhood by biting into a sweet slice of banana bread? Karp’s version has minimal added sugar but plenty of fiber from oats, bananas and eggs. “Plus, you get an antioxidant punch from the cinnamon and walnuts,” she says.

Get the recipe for Blender Banana Bread at MPM Nutrition.

Headshot of Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., NASM-CPT

Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, where she handles all nutrition-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. She is also Good Housekeeping’s on-staff fitness and exercise expert. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.

 

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