Chronic low-grade inflammation is likely a contributing cause of many health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In this seven-day meal plan, we combine forces by mapping out a week of anti-inflammatory recipes, including plenty of fiber and skipping added sugars. If you want to reduce inflammation and reap all of fiber's health benefits, look no further. This meal plan is for you.
How We Create Meal Plans
Registered dietitians thoughtfully create EatingWell’s meal plans to be easy-to-follow and delicious. Each meal plan meets specific parameters depending on the health condition and/or lifestyle goal it is targeting and is analyzed for accuracy using the nutrition database, ESHA Food Processor. As nutritional needs differ from person to person, we encourage you to use these plans as inspiration and adjust as you see fit.
Why This Meal Plan Is Great for You
Fiber is a workhorse in the nutrition world. This unassuming nutrient has many health benefits, such as improving heart health, promoting satiety and reducing blood sugar levels, and it can even help with weight loss. And yet, only 7% of adults in the United States reach their fiber goals. Fiber intake recommendations can vary based on age, sex and stage of life, but the Food and Drug Administration sets the Daily Value of fiber at 28 grams per day. In this meal plan, each day provides around 34 grams of fiber, with no day providing less than 30 grams.
What Happens to Your Body When You Don't Eat Enough Fiber
To complement fiber’s health benefits, we chose recipes containing anti-inflammatory ingredients. You’ll find antioxidant-rich produce, such as berries, cherries, dark leafy greens and cruciferous veggies, and inflammation-fighting healthy fats from salmon, tuna, avocado, nuts and seeds. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory diet encourages you to cook more meals at home and reduce your consumption of highly processed and refined foods, including added sugars.
While the occasional sweet bite or dessert won’t derail your anti-inflammatory efforts, most people eat more added sugars than they realize. On average, Americans consume 17 teaspoons of added sugars per day, considerably above the American Heart Association’s recommended daily max of 9 teaspoons per day for men and 6 for women. That’s why we opted to skip them in this meal plan. While you can expect added sugars to be in foods like desserts and sweetened drinks like soda, they also tend to be present in more unexpected foods, such as cereals, bottled salad dressings and flavored yogurt, to name a few. Double-check the nutrition label on the foods in your home to see if they contain surprising added sugars.
For this plan, we set the calories at 1,500 per day and included modifications for 1,200 and 2,000 calories per day for those with different calorie needs. As with all meal plans, this is meant to serve as a template for an anti-inflammatory, high-fiber eating plan. Make adjustments as needed to fit your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to mix and match meals if there is one I do not like?
Absolutely! If you don’t like a meal and prefer to make a swap, go for it. In this plan, we set the daily calorie level at 1,500 calories, aim for a minimum of 30 grams of fiber per day (with most days going above that) and include plenty of protein, with each day providing at least 79 grams. We also made sure not to exceed 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, per the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. If you’re closely monitoring your calorie intake, you may want to mix and match meals with one that has a similar calorie level, or plan to adjust a snack or two. Check out more of our high-fiber anti-inflammatory dinners for inspiration.
Can I eat the same breakfast or lunch every day?
Yes, if you prefer to eat the same breakfast or lunch every day, that works! Each breakfast is between 313 and 410 calories, while the lunch options range from 350 to 413 calories. These calorie ranges are fairly close, but if you’re monitoring your calories closely, you may want to reduce or increase a snack to hit your goal.
What are the health benefits of fiber?
Fiber has many health benefits. It helps keep you full, which can help with weight loss and weight management. It also improves heart health, lowers cholesterol and improves blood sugar levels. Additionally, fiber helps improve gut health and promotes regular bowel movements.
Does Sugar Cause Inflammation?
The anti-inflammatory diet is more of a lifestyle pattern than a strict eating routine. Added sugars aren’t totally off the table, and including them occasionally won’t derail your other anti-inflammatory efforts. But if you’re trying to reduce inflammation, keeping an eye on your added sugar intake may be helpful. Research has shown that a high intake of sugar increases inflammatory markers, which can lead to chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. Added sugars don’t provide much, if any, nutrition and can displace more nutrient-rich anti-inflammatory options, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts.
Does Sugar in Fruit Cause Inflammation? Here's What Dietitians Say
Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Focus On
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Fermented dairy, such as kefir, yogurt and cottage cheese
- Fish
- Beans
- Lentils
- Nuts and seeds
- Avocado
- Olive oil
- Herbs and spices
How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals
- Make to have for lunch on Days 2 through 5.
Day 1
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Breakfast (313 calories)
- 1 serving Avocado-Egg Toast
- ½ cup blueberries
A.M. Snack (131 calories)
- 1 large pear
Lunch (350 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 plum
P.M. Snack (142 calories)
- 1 cup low-fat plain kefir
- ½ cup raspberries
Dinner (572 calories)
- 1 serving Salmon Power Bowl
Daily Totals: 1,508 calories, 62g fat, 79g protein, 172g carbohydrate, 34g fiber, 1,442mg sodium
Make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 medium apple, omit kefir at P.M. snack and change dinner to 1 serving .
Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 (5.3-oz.) container low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt to breakfast, add ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted shelled pistachios to A.M. snack and add 3 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls as an evening snack.
Day 2
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Breakfast (410 calories)
- 1 serving Anti-Inflammatory Cherry-Spinach Smoothie
A.M. Snack (125 calories)
- 1 (5.3-oz.) container low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
- ¼ cup blackberries
Lunch (413 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 clementine
P.M. Snack (59 calories)
- 1 medium peach
Dinner (489 calories
- 1 serving Spiced Couscous-Stuffed Peppers
Daily Totals: 1,496 calories, 68g fat, 81g protein, 157g carbohydrate, 30g fiber, 1,432mg sodium
Make it 1,200 calories: Change breakfast to 1 serving Strawberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie and omit yogurt at A.M. snack.
Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 serving Avocado-Egg Toast to breakfast, 1 Tbsp. chopped walnuts to A.M. snack and ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted shelled pistachios to P.M. snack.
Day 3
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Breakfast (313 calories)
- 1 serving Avocado-Egg Toast
- ½ cup blueberries
A.M. Snack (176 calories)
- 1 (5.3-oz.) container low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
- 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
- ¼ cup blackberries
Lunch (413 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 clementine
P.M. Snack (95 calories)
- 1 medium apple
Dinner (481 calories)
- 1 serving
Daily Totals: 1,477 calories, 67g fat, 83g protein, 145g carbohydrate, 32g fiber, 1,297mg sodium
Make it 1,200 calories: Omit yogurt and chia seeds at A.M. snack and clementine at lunch and change P.M. snack to ½ cup sliced strawberries.
Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 serving Strawberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie to breakfast, 1 Tbsp. chopped walnuts to A.M. snack and 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to P.M. snack.
Day 4
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Breakfast (410 calories)
- 1 serving Anti-Inflammatory Cherry-Spinach Smoothie
A.M. Snack (125 calories)
- 1 (5.3-oz.) container low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
- ¼ cup blackberries
Lunch (413 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 clementine
P.M. Snack (59 calories)
- 1 medium peach
Dinner (477 calories)
- 1 serving Sweet Potato-Black Bean Tacos
Daily Totals: 1,483 calories, 62g fat, 79g protein, 165g carbohydrate, 36g fiber, 1,334mg sodium
Make it 1,200 calories: Change breakfast to 1 serving Strawberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie and omit yogurt at A.M. snack.
Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 serving Avocado-Egg Toast to breakfast, 1 Tbsp. chopped walnuts to A.M. snack and ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds to P.M. snack.
Day 5
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Breakfast (313 calories)
- 1 serving Avocado-Egg Toast
- ½ cup blueberries
A.M. Snack (131 calories)
- 1 large pear
Lunch (413 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 clementine
P.M. Snack (180 calories)
- 1 cup edamame, in pods
Dinner (395 calories)
- 1 serving
Evening Snack (82 calories)
- ¾ cup low-fat plain kefir
Daily Totals: 1,515 calories, 67g fat, 97g protein, 142g carbohydrate, 32g fiber, 1,659mg sodium
Make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 medium peach, change P.M. snack to 1 plum and omit evening snack.
Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 serving Strawberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie to breakfast, ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds to A.M. snack and 1 plum to P.M. snack.
Day 6
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Breakfast (410 calories)
- 1 serving Anti-Inflammatory Cherry-Spinach Smoothie
A.M. Snack (173 calories)
- 1 (5.3-oz.) container low-fat plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
- ¼ cup blackberries
- 1 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
Lunch (350 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 plum
P.M. Snack (180 calories)
- 1 cup edamame, in pods
Dinner (404 calories)
- 1 serving
Daily Totals: 1,518 calories, 69g fat, 81g protein, 161g carbohydrate, 39g fiber, 1,394mg sodium
Make it 1,200 calories: Change breakfast to 1 serving Strawberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie and omit yogurt and chia seeds at A.M. snack.
Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 serving Avocado-Egg Toast to breakfast and add 3 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls as an evening snack.
Day 7
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Breakfast (313 calories)
- 1 serving Avocado-Egg Toast
- ½ cup blueberries
A.M. Snack (211 calories)
- ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted shelled pistachios
- 1 clementine
Lunch (350 calories)
- 1 serving
- 1 plum
P.M. Snack (180 calories)
- 1 cup edamame, in pods
Dinner (467 calories)
- 1 serving Pistachio-Crusted Halibut
- 1 serving Cherry-Almond Farro Salad
Daily Totals: 1,521 calories, 71g fat, 88g protein, 148g carbohydrate, 35g fiber, 1,611mg sodium
Make it 1,200 calories: Omit pistachios at A.M. snack and change P.M. snack to 1 medium peach.
Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 serving Strawberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie to breakfast and add 3 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls as an evening snack.
