Desserts rich in inflammation-fighting ingredients may help you manage joint pain and satisfy your sweet tooth.

What to have for dessert can be a difficult decision for anyone, but people with arthritis need to pay extra attention to the food they eat. Many popular desserts are full of sugar and trans fat that may increase inflammation, worsening arthritis pain. However, desserts rich in inflammation-fighting ingredients may help you manage joint pain and satisfy your sweet tooth. Here are four desserts that you can enjoy after dinner. They are all easy to make, requiring no more than 30 minutes of prep time.

Green tea and ginger frozen pops

These green tea and ginger-dew pops featured in Prevention magazine are a great alternative to sugary frozen treats. Ginger has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, and is recommended as part of an anti-arthritis diet. Green tea may boost metabolism, which could lead to weight loss and reduced stress on joints.

Marinated melon

If you're looking for an easy dessert, marinated melon is the way to go. Simply put pieces of melon in a bowl with flavored water and white balsamic vinegar and leave it to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours. In no time at all, you'll have a sweet and tangy treat that is low in sugars and delightfully tasty. This recipe calls for melon balls, but that's just presentation: feel free to slice your melon any way you like.

Cinnamon apple smoothie

Sure, smoothies have a reputation as a breakfast food, but they're just as great at the end of the day. This smoothie has a double whammy of anti-inflammatory properties, since it includes both apple and cinnamon. The recipe also calls for flaxseed, which increases the nutritional value of the dessert. If you like your smoothies to be a little closer to the slushy side, try freezing the coconut water.

Dark chocolate-dipped cherries

This make-ahead dessert almost seems too decadent to be healthy, but it's not. Both cherries and dark chocolate may help reduce inflammation, provided you pay attention to what you're buying. Look for a dark chocolate that's at least 60 percent cocoa to take advantage of the bean's anti-inflammatory properties. Here's some extra good news for those managing gout: A study done in 2012 found that cherry consumption led to a 35 percent lower chance of gout attacks.

For more on dieting for arthritis:

Diet Changes to Improve Arthritis
Anti-inflammatory Diet for Joint Pain
Arthritis Diet: Foods That Can Help Fight Inflammation