14 Gluten-Free Appetizers For A Tasty Start To Any Meal

Ingredients for Vegan Chickpea Curry

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
• 14 ounces canned tomatoes, drained
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 16 ounces canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 package baby spinach
• 13.5 ounces canned coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 lime
• Cooked rice

Directions for Vegan Chickpea Curry

1. Add the coconut oil to a deep pan over medium-high heat.

2. Add the onions, tomatoes, salt, and pepper to the pan, and stir. Reduce the heat to medium and cook the mixture until tomatoes release their juices and the onions soften, for about 10 minutes.

3. Stir in the chickpeas, garlic, curry powder, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper until well combined. Add spinach, coconut milk, and flour, and stir again. Bring the curry to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10-12 minutes.

4. Remove the curry from heat, top with lime juice, and serve over rice with naan.

So, when I booked my trip to India, I was a little hesitant about the food, considering pretty much all of my friends’ reviews of their experiences could be summed up in three sound bites: “Amazingly beautiful country,” “absolutely bonkers traffic,” and “spice levels off the charts!”

I knew I wanted to eat as much delicious Indian food as I could (give me all the naan), but after two days of ordering dishes that seemed like they might kill my tummy (I’m looking at you, spicy biryani), I needed help. After talking to some locals, I was able to pull together a solid list of tasty options that let me experience all the delicious flavors and spices of the cuisine without running to the restroom every 20 minutes.

When it comes to breakfast, most travelers opt to eat at the normally included hotel buffets. It’s a great chance to experience a little bit of each type of dish and decide for yourself what you can handle in terms of spice, but note that in more Westernized establishments they tend to go a little easy on the spice, knowing their clientele. There are three safe options that were fairly standard at every Indian breakfast buffet:

1. Idli

Idli is a type of savory steamed rice cake, not entirely unlike a Chinese bao in texture. It’s made out of fermented black lentils and rice, and normally served with coconut chutney with the option to sprinkle a little (or a lot) of curry spice on top.

2. Dosa

Dosa is similar to a pancake or crepe in appearance, but it’s made with rice and black gram (a type of bean grown on the Indian subcontinent). It’s spread thin on a hot skillet and cooked until crispy. Traditionally, it’s served with sambar, a warm, sometimes-spicy soup, and chutney. Sometimes it's stuffed with a mixture of potatoes and paneer.

3. Vada

Vada looks like an unglazed donut, but it’s actually a savory snack that’s made with ingredients ranging from legumes to potatoes. They’re generally fairly mild and also substantially dense, so they make a great non-spicy breakfast to power you through the day. They show up in another delicious dish called dahi vada, which is basically vadas soaked in a thick yogurt sauce — also an excellent option when you’re looking for something calming for your stomach!

Now that you’ve made it past breakfast and you’re out and about exploring, you’ll inevitably end up staring at a menu wondering what on earth you should order for your next meal. Breads and plain rice are always the safest, but you’ll want something to sop up with that freshly baked and buttery garlic naan.

4. Butter chicken or butter paneer

These are generally pretty safe choices when it comes to non-spicy Indian food. Paneer is normally a mildly spicy curry dish, as it includes lots of cream and yogurt in the preparation. Plus, if you order a side dish of yogurt, you can really control the spice level with the sauce and it makes a great dish for dipping all the breads.

5. Tikka chicken

Tikka is something you might be familiar with if you frequent Indian restaurants. It normally refers to a piece of chicken or meat that’s been marinated in yogurt and spices and then grilled. The spice can sometimes be a little hot, but if you order a side of raita (a condiment made with yogurt and raw or cooked vegetables) to cool the palate, it’s absolutely perfect.

6. Aloo gobi

Aloo gobi is a wonderful alternative to meat, as it’s made with potato and cauliflower spiced with all the delicious Indian spices. Vegetarian dishes are absolutely incredible in India, and even if you’re an avid carnivore, make sure you save room to try some of the vegetarian offerings!

7. Saag paneer

Saag paneer consists of leafy greens (spinach, mustard greens, or collard greens). It’s normally medium to mild in flavor and served with roti, a kind of flatbread. Especially since you’re traveling in a country where fresh salads aren’t the safest to eat, you’ll want to get your greens fix in for sure, and this is a terrific way to do it.

By and large some of the most appealing dishes in any country come from the streets, and India is no exception. However, whenever eating street foods always be aware of where they’re being made, as cleanliness is an issue. That said, if you come across some of these street food classics, give them a try.

8. Pani puri or dahi puri

Pani puri or dahi puri are very common street snacks and consist of round, hollow fried crisps called puri that are filled with a mixture of water, chutney, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion, or chickpeas. They’re very mild and delicious; the only thing you have to be really careful about is making sure they’re made with bottled mineral water.

9. Samosas

Samosas are wonderful pockets of deep-fried goodness that are generally stuffed with a variety of potatoes, peas, and onions. Now, I’m going to put a big warning on these, as they really do run the gamut from spicy to mild, so be sure to ask for non-spicy ones — or if you have a taste-tester buddy, let them take the first bite!

10. Gulab jamus

Gulab jamus are perhaps one of the most amazing things you’ll ever eat. These sweet and sticky fried dough balls soaked in a sugared syrup are not only the perfect way to end a meal, but they really do kill the spice from any dish! And if you do accidentally order something that’s out of your tolerance range, be sure to wash it down with a sweet mango lassi!

What is inflammation?

“At its simplest, inflammation is a protective response by the body. When the immune system detects an invader or an injury, the immune system, various blood proteins, and the cardiovascular system react to eliminate the problem,” says Stephanie Dunne, MS, RDN, IFNCP at Nutrition Q.E.D. “In other words, inflammation is a response to something harmful or damaged in the body.”

Symptomatically, inflammation can show up in numerous ways, including fever, sore throat, bruising and swelling, fatigue, mood swings, body aches, headaches, skin disorders, decreased thyroid function, and irregular bowel movements, to name a few.

What causes inflammation?

There are two types of inflammation: acute and chronic. According to Dunne, acute inflammation is most commonly caused by an “invader or injury.” Acute inflammation sets in quicker than chronic inflammation, often presenting within minutes or hours. Causes of acute inflammation can include physical injury, infections, and hypersensitivities like allergic reactions.

“Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is much harder to identify and resolve,” says Dunne. “Chronic inflammation sets in slowly, sometimes taking months or years to take hold, and the signs are more subtle, less specific, and systemic.”

Causes of chronic inflammation include prolonged exposure to toxins, persistent infections, smoking, heavy alcohol use, over-exercising, chronic use of certain medications, and consuming foods that damage the digestive tract.

The lasting effects of chronic inflammation are much more severe than that of acute inflammation, too. Many conditions like Alzheimer's Disease, ADHD, autoimmune disease, diabetes, and depression have been linked in part to chronic inflammation.

How can I treat inflammation?

According to Varsha Khatri, RDN at Prowise Healthcare, modifying your plans for your diet, exercise, rest, and stress management can help decrease chronic inflammation. Dietary changes are a great place to start.

“The introduction of foods containing anti-inflammatory nutrients and the exclusion of pro-inflammatory foods, for instance, processed sugar and trans fats, is essential,” she says.

In addition to anti-inflammatory foods, drinking teas for inflammation is an easy way to keep you feeling your best in the day-to-day. Below, find the best teas our experts recommend for fighting inflammation!

Rishi Tea Turmeric Ginger Herbal Tea

Dunne recommends this turmeric and ginger tea because both turmeric and ginger contain strong anti-inflammatory properties. Combining them can pack a powerful punch, and this ready-to-go combo makes reaping the benefits of both ingredients super easy.

Traditional Medicinals Organic Stress Ease Immune Tea with Adaptogens

Dunne also likes this tea because it contains herbs and spices that support the adrenal glands and the immune system. Supporting both systems is necessary if you're looking to reduce inflammation.

Stash Spice Dragon Red Chai Herbal Tea

Cinnamon, ginger, and clove are all considered anti-inflammatory, and this herbal tea includes them all. If you enjoy drinking chai, this caffeine-free version will deliver that familiar flavor all while helping your body combat inflammation!

Tazo Green Tea

Drinking green tea consistently can not only help decrease inflammation, but improve your cardiovascular health and metabolism, which can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.

Traditional Medicinals Organic Ginger Tea

Ginger is rich in gingerol, which can help reduce general swelling (including arthritis and sore muscles) and relieve an array of digestive issues. It's also pretty tasty, too, so you can enjoy sipping it any time.

52USA Rooibos Organic Tea

"Rooibos tea has antioxidants like aspalathin and nothofagin which are present in plants and rooibos, and are believed to have anti-inflammatory effects," says Khatri. "Such antioxidants can mitigate the activity of pro-inflammatory substances and therefore, chronic inflammatory diseases may be effectively managed."

Yogi Comforting Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is one of the best teas for inflammation to drink before bed. It has relaxing and soothing effects, thanks to apigenin, which primarily tackles inflammation in the gut. If you deal with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other digestive disorders, you'll find some nice relief from drinking chamomile tea.