Avoid Foods That Cause Inflammation 

Refined Process Carbohydrates

First things first, all carbohydrates are not created equally. There are “good” carbs, like those that come from veggies and whole grains. There are also “bad” carbs, those that are processed, such as:

• white bread
• flour tortillas
• baked goods
• crackers
• white pasta
• bagels
• pretzels and other chips
• Basically almost anything that is white – nix it!

Here’s where you find all the bad stuff! Refined carbs are stripped of fiber that whole grain foods still provide.  Because the carbs are stripped of fiber, the body digests them more quickly and satiety is shorter, usually less than an hour after you consume them.

Stick to whole grain products like brown rice and whole grains in place of processed carbs.

Cooking Oils

If you cook with saturated and trans fats, you are not doing your body any favors – inflammation, inflammation, inflammation.

READ Healthy Oils To Cook With And Getting The Most Benefits Out Of Them

Many people may falsely believe that vegetable oils are great to use in the kitchen because their first name is “vegetable.” However, they are high in omega-6, which are pro-inflammatory, and low in omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory. This disproportion causes inflammation due to the higher amounts of omega-6 fatty acids.

It’s time to throw out all vegetable oils and replace them with a single superior cooking oil, olive oil. Olive oil is a monosaturated fat. It is a smarter choice because it has strong anti-inflammatory properties. All the good, none of the bad!

Artificial Sweeteners

Going sugar-free is a great way to control and manage body weight. Many people feel that as long as they are using a sugar substitute that they are staying “healthy.” Beware of the artificial sweeteners you consume.

Aspartame is one to avoid, and that may be difficult due to the fact that it’s used in over 4000 products found on store shelves today (Arthritis Foundation, 2016). The Arthritis Foundation (2016) states, “If you are sensitive to this chemical, your immune system will react to this “foreign substance” by attacking the chemical , which in return, will trigger an inflammatory response.”

What can you use then?

You can use natural sweeteners like honey, agave nectar, or blackstrap molasses. Just know that these are high in sugar and carbohydrates and must be used in moderation if you are on a weight loss program.

If you want to go sugar-free, the safest artificial sweeteners on the market to date are Stevia and Xylitol.

READ A Quick Guide to Natural Sweeteners

Alcohol

If you consume large quantities of alcohol each week, meaning more than one to two drinks per day, it’s time to scale back.

Alcohol causes changes to the intestinal lining which allows bacteria into the bloodstream, thus triggering inflammation (Kotz, 2009).

Conclusion

It’s time to get raw! Get back to the foods that nature intended for you to enjoy, veggies, fruit, lean meats, especially fish. Load your plate with color, nature’s color. Inflammatory foods are a bad habit, but one that can be broken over time. By staying away from inflammatory foods, you will live a longer, better quality life.