The answer is salmon. Pan-seared, baked, mixed with quinoa or flaked into a salad - any way you eat it, salmon is the anti-inflammatory food that will keep your weight on point. It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids (healthy fats!) and literally hundreds of studies have been done that attest to salmon’s anti-inflammatory benefits. Plus it’s an excellent source of protein.
“When left unchecked, free radicals can create inflammation in your body and inhibit your ability to convert calories into energy,” says Dr. Charles Passler, nutritionist and founder of Pure Change. That means your body retains fat instead of burning it. Anti-inflammatory foods like salmon have antioxidants to reverse this activity, as well as healthy fats that directly inhibit inflammation. And for a bonus side effect, reduction in inflammation could raise your levels of serotonin. That’s the hormone that helps you get good sleep, which is a big factor in maintaining a healthy weight. “Studies have shown that people who don’t get enough restful sleep put on the pounds and find it harder to lose them,” he says.
You know that old saying, “you are what you eat”? It’s totally true, especially for salmon. “Wild salmon dine on a crustacean called krill, which are loaded with an anti-inflammatory antioxidant called astaxanthin,” says Colette Heimowitz, a nutritionist with Atkins Nutritionals. You eat what it eats! Wild salmon has more omega-3s than farmed so choose wisely. Salmon also provides you vitamin D. Studies show that low levels of vitamin D have been linked to retaining fat instead of burning fat.
Salmon is incredibly versatile and pairs well with so many different flavors. Yes, it’s got a strong taste of its own but fresh fish shouldn’t be super smelly. Do your best to buy from a seafood market that has lots of turnover. We love topping salmon with a ginger-lime marinade that has fresh garlic, sesame oil and soy sauce then serving with brown rice. Or go Greek! Baked salmon can be seasoned with a touch of olive oil, kosher salt and pepper. Serve it with a homemade tzatziki sauce made from low-fat plain yogurt, fresh dill, cucumbers, garlic and lemon juice.
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