My Anti-inflammatory Diet
What does a nutritional therapist eat to keep inflammation under control? Here are 3 secrets to my anti-inflammatory diet.
I Eat Foods That Don’t Have Labels
Compare some of the most inflammatory foods with some of the least inflammatory foods:
- Processed meats
- White flour products (bread, crackers, etc.)
- Sweetened beverages
- Desserts such as candy, ice cream, etc.)
- Transfats, including margarine
- Snack foods, such as chips
- Cold water fish (salmon, sardines, etc.)
- Dark leafy greens
- Fruits (berries, cherries, grapes)
- Sulphur vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower)
- Natural fats (coconut, avocado, olives)
- Spices & herbs
Can you see that the latter category comes without an ingredient list? I pick foods from farmer’s markets, gardens, dairy farms, ranchers, and roadside fruit stands, not from the factories of industrial food makers. Also, when I’m at the grocery store, I shop the perimeter.
I Eat Close to Nature
Although a snack from the health food section of the supermarket may only have 3 or 4 ingredients, I would still rather have the fresh food rather than a packaged product. For example, why should I eat a fruit bar when I can simply have an apple or an orange? If that seems boring, I can create my own pudding, ice cream, popsicle, or other fun treat using only whole ingredients.
I Don’t Espouse an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
What I endorse is a way of life, not a short-term diet program. Too often, individuals fall into a trap of thinking that they will deprive themselves to meet a goal, then they will be able to eat whatever they want after that. I choose not to restrict myself, but to celebrate the vast array of flavors, colors, and textures that nature offers. After all, inflammation seems to be a modern problem that comes with modern commercial foods. I believe that following a traditional lifestyle puts me back in harmony with my body’s requirements for nutrition.
Want to learn more about how to eat anti-inflammatory foods? Contact me to set up a private mentoring session.