Foods That Cause Inflammation
Not only does chronic inflammation lead to joint pain, but did you know research has shown over and over again that inflammation is one of the major underlying elements of disease?
“…inflammatory responses that fail to regulate themselves can become chronic and contribute to the perpetuation and progression of disease.”
Br J Nutr. 2009 May;101 Suppl 1:S1-45.
If you know that inflammation leads to pain, discomfort, and disease, and you know that reducing inflammation helps to resolve these issues, then removing inflammatory foods is a step in the right direction. So, yes, you should stop eating foods that cause inflammation. Here is a top 10 list of those foods:
- All dairy products
- All grains (bread, pasta, rice)
- Sugar/Artificial sweeteners
- All soy products
- Nuts except walnuts
- White potatoes
- Corn/Popcorn (non-organic)
- Coffee/Caffeine
- Eggs
- Any foods to which you are allergic or that cause stomach or digestive irritation
Any food you have a sensitivity to may be causing inflammation. The big lesson here is to eat REAL food that is minimally processed. You can start slowly, such as preparing 1 meal per day according to these guidelines. Build up to all 3 meals per day over a few weeks time and see just how good you can feel with some simple changes to your lifestyle.
To help you in this new way of eating, here are some guidelines for avoiding foods that cause inflammation:
- Eat moderate amounts (about the size of a deck of cards) of healthy protein (grass-fed, free-range beef, chicken, fish, etc., organic when possible)
- Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you desire, always consuming twice as many vegetables as fruit per day
- Herbal teas are also beneficial
- Try coconut milk as an alternative to dairy
- Many people are reluctant to eat vegetables for breakfast. Try it. You might be surprised!
- Always choose organic food whenever possible
Dr. Kalaba is a chiropractor in Tucson, AZ, practicing gentle chiropractic care and providing health tips to help you live the best rest of your life.
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Find Your Balance.
Set Your Goals.
Take A Step.
We can’t be our best selves and maximize our impact in our lives, with our families, on the job, or out in the world when we are experiencing chronic inflammation, fatigue, and dis-ease. Therefore, our health should be our #1 priority. This is why I am honored to be your Tucson chiropractor.
For someone who is experiencing these challenges, moving yourself and your health to the top of your to-do-list is very powerful and is often the catalyst to creating a transformational life experience.