The #1 Anti-Inflammatory Frozen Food to Buy at Costco

They’re perfect in sauces, parfaits and frozen treats. But TBH, they’re pretty tasty straight out of the bag, too.

Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RDReviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

I love it when a food that is one of my favorites to cook with is also good for me. As someone who lives with type 2 diabetes and is in her mid-50s, I find that incorporating foods that have beneficial health properties is a great way to make my diet support my overall health goals.

Related: The Best Foods to Eat to Fight Inflammation

For me, these days, that means seeking out some of the anti-inflammatory foods that are out there. Costco is always a terrific source for both fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, and right now there is one specific food I buy that helps me fight inflammation. It just so happens to be found in the frozen section.

The Best Anti-Inflammatory Frozen Food at Costco

The No. 1 item I buy at Costco that is always in my freezer is the Organic Frozen Sweet Cherries. These individual flash-frozen beauties are useful in so many ways. From making yogurt granola parfaits for my breakfast, to adding to smoothies, to using them in baking, I just find them endlessly inspiring. And the anti-inflammatory properties are no joke—research suggests that due to the anti-inflammatory properties of cherries, including the fruit in your eating plan may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

“Cherries are packed with things like vitamin E, vitamin C and polyphenols that work as antioxidants. They help repair our cells and reduce levels of inflammation in the body,” explains Jessica Ball, M.S., RDN, nutrition editor at EatingWell. Besides, she adds, cherries are versatile and delicious.

Some of my favorite ways to use cherries might surprise you. When I want something that feels dessert-y, I will pop a cup of the still-frozen cherries in my food processor with a splash of agave syrup and pulse to either a granita texture or really puree to a fast, instant faux sorbet that is refreshing and sweet but still in my program.

Related: Tart Cherry Nice Cream

I also love to use cherries in some savory roasting. Italian sausages roasted with shallots and cherries is a wildly delicious meal. Same with sheet-pan roasted root vegetables: I combine the cherries with red beets, red onion and wedges of red cabbage for a striking magenta side dish that is terrific with baked chicken thighs or pork tenderloin. I will finely chop the cherries and marinate them in red-wine vinegar with shallots to start a wonderful salad dressing, or puree them to add to BBQ sauce or a glaze for grilled meats.

I also use cherries in all sorts of salads. I pickle them to put on cheese and charcuterie boards and use them as edible ice cubes in spritzes. You can use cherries in these healthy cherry desserts or any of these healthy cherry recipes. I especially love the Cherry & Goat Cheese Crostini and these Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs with Cherry-Molasses Sauce.

To be honest, a small bowl of frozen cherries is also a pretty refreshing snack!

The Bottom Line

If you are looking for a simple way to add some anti-inflammatory yumminess to your diet, make room in your freezer for the Organic Frozen Sweet Cherries from Costco, and you will have an endlessly inspiring frozen treat whenever you need it.

Read the original article on Eating Well.