Pain in the body can be absolutely debilitating. Some of the most annoying pain is attributed to inflammation. Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis have no cure, and pain must be managed. Did you know that watching what you eat can actually decrease the amount of inflammation in the body? Like any physical journey your body goes on, what you fuel it with is more important than physical action.
Foods that you should avoid:
- Sugar
- High Fructose corn syrup (found in pop and other soft drinks)
- Artificial trans fat
- Seed oils
- Processed meats (like smoked or canned meat, beef jerky)
- Large amounts of alcohol
- Gluten (Found in white bread and pastries)
- Spicy foods
If you must eat these foods, try not to eat them right in the morning. The very first thing you put in your body in the morning is what starts off that day for yourself. If you put something that slows you down at first, you will have a hard time getting through your day without experiencing inflammation. Try and avoid these foods where possible, but don’t start off your day with them.
Instead of adding refined sugars to coffee or recipes, try adding natural sugars like honey or agave. To curb your pop craving, try sparkling fruit juices or carbonated waters. Avoid both trans fats and oils by baking rather than frying your food. Substitute canned meats for fresh ones like chicken or fish. A glass of wine here and there won’t kill you but avoid heavy daily drinking. Substitute white bread for whole grain, less refined options. Finally, Season your food with different spices, avoiding ones like cayenne, chili powder, or large amounts of black pepper.
Foods you should include:
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Avocado
- Peppers
- Mushrooms
- Turmeric
- Dark Chocolate
- Cherries
- Fish
- Beans
Most of the foods on the list are whole foods, the reason these foods are anti-inflammatory is not that they have any sort of magical powers. It is because they are not processed. The body’s immune system activates when foreign bodies are found in the gut and bloodstream, this is what causes inflammation. Feeding your body whole foods does not activate the immune system as much, which will decrease inflammation. For further clarification or other questions about your health and diet specifically, book a consultation with our naturopathic doctor!
In addition to making good food choices, take care of your body by getting enough rest, drinking enough water, and moving around. When getting over a soft tissue injury of any kind, seeking physiotherapy or chiropractic treatment is always a good idea. Let the practitioners at Apex Physiotherapy and Chiropractic help you get back moving on your feet!
