You may be thinking, ‘I don’t have any inflammation to reverse.’ You’re probably right in saying you don’t have any ‘visible’ signs. Sure, you may not see any external signs, but did you know that hidden inflammation could still be affecting your health? Right now, this silent inflammation could be impacting you in ways you might not even realize.
However, with healthy eating habits and eating clean foods, you can fight it and reverse it!
Understanding Inflammation
Not all inflammation is bad. Inflammation is your body’s way of protecting you. When you hurt yourself, whether that’s a scrape on the knee or a pulled muscle, your immune system kicks in to fight off any infection and repair any damage you may have done. This type of inflammation is acute, short-term, and necessary for your healing.
However, problems arise when your body stays in a constant state of low-level inflammation. This is chronic inflammation and has been linked to a range of health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and even mental health challenges like anxiety and depression.
It’s essentially your body’s emergency alarm, (run by your immune system), remaining stuck in the ‘on’ position! Can you see how this could be damaging to your health?
Foods That Can Fuel Your Inflammation
Unfortunately, so many of the foods we eat today are not considered ‘clean’ and these foods are often a major culprit in fueling inflammation. Heavily processed foods, refined sugars, and fried foods are not just unhealthy foods and empty calories, they’re the ones that do the damage. They actively promote inflammation.
Imagine what would happen if you constantly consumed foods that continuously disrupted your health and body’s natural balance. You would soon get sick, or start feeling ‘off.’ The reason is, these types of foods make it harder for your body to heal and protect itself.
What can you do? The solution lies in eating a cleaner, nutrient-rich diet that prioritizes your healing instead of causing you harm.
An Anti-Inflammatory Diet Consists of Whole, Natural Foods
A clean, anti-inflammatory diet is all about returning to the basics of whole, natural foods. Instead of choosing processed, packaged foods, focus on the foods and ingredients that nourish your body at the cellular level.
Vegetables and fruits, such as leafy green vegetables, colorful berries, sweet potatoes, and peppers are packed with antioxidants. These are the fighters that protect you against inflammation. They not only protect your body’s cells but also help repair any damage already caused by chronic inflammation.
Incorporating healthy fats into your meals is equally important. For years, we’ve been conditioned to fear fat as being evil, and yes some are, however, the right kinds of fats, which are those found in foods like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, are essential for reducing inflammation.
Fatty fish, like salmon and mackerel are another excellent choice, as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Whole grains are another food you can include. Unlike refined grains, which can spike blood sugar and worsen inflammation, whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and oats provide fiber and nutrients that help regulate your body’s inflammatory response.
Another yummy addition are seasonings like turmeric, ginger, and garlic, which certainly add flavor, yet they are also packed with natural compounds that soothe inflammation and support overall healing.
The Benefits
One of the most encouraging aspects of creating your own personal anti-inflammatory diet, one that includes the right foods above, is how quickly you might notice improvements. Within a few weeks you may notice changes, such as reduced joint pain, increased energy, brighter, healthier looking skin, and your mind may feel brighter and lighter too! These changes are your body’s way of saying thank you for caring!
Are you ready to help your body heal itself? Each time you choose a wholesome, nutrient-dense meal over one that is processed, you’re taking a very healthy step towards your long-term health.
If you start to eat clean, you will be developing a healthy eating habit that will become less of a task and your body will begin to crave all the goodness! Your body will thank you in countless ways!
