What Are Adaptogens—And Are They Actually Good For Us?

Fruit Salad

A fruit salad is an especially refreshing snack come summertime. Make sure yours is packed with berries for all those good antioxidants! (via Francesca Bean for Brit + Co)

Easy Green Smoothie

Leafy greens should be a go-to if you're eating to fight inflammation. This easy smoothie recipe makes eating more spinach super simple. Plus, it's boosted with protein powder to keep you feelin' full! (via Brit + Co)

Homemade Hummus

Both olive oil and turmeric are anti-inflammatory, and this hummus contains plenty of each. This quick recipe shapes up to be the tastiest dip for chips and veggie sticks, which come in handy if you're craving a savory snack. (via Brit + Co)

Simple Trail Mix

High in high in healthy fats and antioxidants, nuts like walnuts and almonds are great for eating on an anti-inflammatory diet – but sometimes eating a plain handful of 'em gets pretty boring. Mix up your very own trail mix for a reliable option! (via Justina Huddleston for Brit + Co)

3-Ingredient Tzatziki Sauce

Who knew some non-fat Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, and lemon juice could turn into the tastiest anti-inflammatory snack?! Plus, it's high in protein, thanks to the yogurt. Dip it or spread it, you'll want a batch of this sauce in your fridge 24/7. (via Chloe Williams for Brit + Co)

Almond Butter Fruit Stacks

Simple ingredients can truly make the best snacks. For this one, use minimally-processed almond butter and some low-sugar chocolate chips to take it easy on your tum. (via Brit + Co)

Sweet Potato & Chickpea Toast

This hearty helping of sweet potato and chickpeas makes a great pick-me-up with zero processed ingredients. (via Brit + Co)

Greek Yogurt Dip

This Greek yogurt dip recipe comes with three fun ways to customize your bite, so you have options. (via Brit + Co)

Raspberry Cacao Chia Seed Pudding

Berries, cacao, and chia – oh my! This semi-sweet chia pudding bowl is made up of nothing but whole foods to keep any extra inflammation at bay. (via Gabi Conti for Brit + Co)

Feta Avocado Toast with Balsamic

Avocados are abundant in healthy fats that can be beneficial for an anti-inflammatory diet, so avo toast is the perfect snack! We highly recommend smothering this recipe on sourdough bread and topping your toast with feta and tomatoes. (via Brit + Co)

Healthy Peanut Butter Cups

Using refined sugar-free chocolate and all-natural peanut butter (or any other kind of nut butter you love) lets you snack on these Reese's-inspired treats without worrying about a flare-up. Score! (via Munching with Mariyah)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups bone broth (chicken or beef)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil (for sautéing)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Leftover rotisserie chicken, optional

Optional Add-Ins:

• Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for garnish
• A squeeze of lemon juice for added brightness
• A pinch of turmeric for anti-inflammatory benefits
• Peeled and chopped sweet potatoes for more fiber, which can help promote healthy gut bacteria
• Swap organic kale or chard for spinach leaves if preferred

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat avocado oil over medium heat (optional). Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and softened (about 2-3 minutes).
2. Add the sliced carrots, cauliflower florets, and celery to the pot. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the cauliflower to lightly soften and release its flavor.
3. Pour in the bone broth, add the diced cucumber, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and flavors to meld.
4. Stir in the fresh spinach leaves during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking so that they wilt but remain vibrant.
5. Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs.

1. How I Met Your Mother

It's natural to have flawed characters in TV series, but one How I Met Your Mother character in particular, Barney Stinson, is especially problematic. Portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris, Barney is known for being manipulative and casually misogynistic.

For instance, he has a "playbook" of pick-up lines, regularly lies to women just to sleep with them, and perpetuates toxic masculinity. Barney's behavior might've been able to snag some laughs back in the day, but his disrespectful actions wouldn't be so well-received by audiences in 2025.

2. Two and a Half Men

Two and a Half Men continues to air on TV and stream across platforms, but that doesn't mean its premise isn't controversial.

Charlie Sheen plays Charlie Harper, a man who routinely treats women as objects for his own pleasure and perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes. Not to mention, Charlie's behavior is showcased in front of his young nephew, Jake, who becomes privy to situations that are way too mature for a kid.

Sure, there is humor in the tension between Charlie and his brother, Alan. Nonetheless, the line between comedy and inappropriate content is definitely blurred.

3. Ugly Betty

Both the title and plot of Ugly Betty probably wouldn't hold up if it were released today. The show revolves around Betty Suarez, played by America Ferrera, who is a smart, ambitious, and kind-hearted young woman. However, since she wears glasses, has braces, and doesn't follow fashion trends, she's deemed "ugly" and deals with constant ridicule after landing a job at a fashion magazine.

It's undeniable that Ugly Betty is packed with both funny and heartfelt moments. Nonetheless, the way the show treats Betty's looks and reinforces harmful beauty standards feels super outdated in our more body-positive and inclusive era.

4. That 70's Show

When you think of That 70's Show, you might picture the classic bell-bottom-wearing friend group sitting around, surrounded by clouds of smoke. Compared to how the character Fes, played by Wilmer Valderrama, was treated, the underage drug use seems relatively tame.

As the "foreign exchange student," Fes is not only given a name that reduces him to being an outsider, but a lot of the humor surrounding his character also just relies on racist stereotypes. That 70's Show might've intended to be lighthearted, but it's tough to imagine a modern sitcom leaning on so many old tropes.

5. Everybody Loves Raymond

Despite being a funny character, Ray Barone, played by Ray Romano, reinforces problematic gender roles in Everybody Loves Raymond.

He comes off as a passive husband who typically sides with his mother over his wife, leaving his wife to shoulder much of the emotional labor and household chores. This old-fashioned family dynamic feels especially inappropriate today when modern sitcoms are trying to challenge these old stereotypes.

6. The Big Bang Theory

The initial appeal of The Big Bang Theory centered around nerd culture being quirky and odd, but today, this kind of "otherness" just isn't considered funny anymore.

Each character also has their own specific issues, with Raj's selective mutism being played for laughs, Penny embodying the "dumb blonde" stereotype, and Sheldon's behavior that's exaggerated for comedic effect. In 2025, this sitcom seems repetitive and shallow since it leans too heavily on stereotypes.

7. Home Improvement

When it comes to Home Improvement, this show pushed a traditional narrative where men are defined by their roles as the breadwinners and having handyman skills; meanwhile, a woman's value is tied to her appearance and household duties.

Tim Taylor, played by Tim Allen, is a one-dimensional character whose storyline almost totally revolves around his role as the host of "Tool Time," a fictional TV show. Not to mention, there's the "Tool Time girl," a woman whose sole purpose is to stand and look attractive while introducing Tim and his co-host. The lack of depth and outdated gender tropes make Home Improvement a tough watch today.

8. According to Jim

On a similar note, the show According to Jim features a father, played by Jim Belushi, who embodies traditional gender roles. His behavior doesn't fit the mold of the typical sitcom dad, though, since Jim is always lying to his wife and sister, interrupting others, and acting just plain rude.

In hindsight, Jim's character perpetuates misogyny and being overly macho, something that probably wouldn't fly if made today.