Red meat, inflammation, saturated fats, dairy… oh, what a can of worms to open.

While many of us like to think that if we stick to a healthier diet and exercise, that we’ll be free of inflammation. But… that’s really not true.

ANYTHING that causes inflammation (which is our body’s natural response to a variety of stressors) can cause heat, pain, swelling, redness, bloating, acne, arthritis, and heart disease. And chronic inflammation is the real killer.

So how can you choose better foods to reduce your body’s inflammatory response?

Reduce your intake of the following foods:

Sugar: Fruit juice (yes, even fresh juice!), pastries, and fancy coffee drinks can cause the body to bloat, hurt, and swell.
Saturated Fats: Think pizza, cheese, red meat, full-fat dairy products, etc.
Trans Fats: Anything fried like french fries and hot wings, as well as frozen breakfast products, donuts, and margarine.
Omega 6 Fatty Acids: This can be found in microwave popcorn, chips, and in oils like peanut, soy, vegetable and sunflower oil.
Refined Carbohydrates: This includes white rice products, white flour products, and white potatoes and potato products.
MSGs: Avoid Asian-takeout, unless you know it’s MSG-free.
Gluten and Casein: This essentially means gluten and dairy products (casein is a protein found in dairy products).
Aspartame: This artificial sweetener wrecks havoc on your body’s inflammatory response. Instead, opt for all-natural sweeteners like monk fruit or stevia.
Alcohol: Wine or vodka soda… it’s all the same when it comes to the body’s reaction and inflammation. Minimize your intake, or be “pickier” about when you drink with friends.

Another tip: Take an Omega 3 supplement (fish oil), as it helps to counter all the nasty Omega 6s we consume. Our bodies should have a 1:1 ratio of each, but nowadays, due to our culture and diets, it’s more like 6:1. Nordic Natural is a great, trustworthy brand and source, and can be found on Amazon or natural grocer retailers like Whole Foods.

De-boat, minimize swelling, and feel better all around… :)

Until next time,

XoXo Peri