Nutrition

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

The medical community knows that in order to treat the modern health problems we face today; we need to eliminate and/or reduce the factors that contribute to inflammation in the body. Unfortunately, most diets around the world are very inflammatory and can cause most of the chronic diseases and chronic pain.

The more inflammation you have, the more you will experience pain. Decrease inflammation and the body will start to heal. If you follow an anti-inflammatory diet your body will decrease inflammation and your quality of life will be exponentially better. Most of the dietary diseases orbit around the inflammatory process. Consequently, this diet is good for the entire family.

Eat food that is as natural and clean as possible. Keep away from processed, packaged and canned foods. Avoid white foods like, white sugar, pasta, flour, milk, bread and white potato (one of the most damaging).

The majority of your diet should be composed of fresh, natural, organic fruits and vegetables. The more color your food has the better it is. Spinach, kale, red chard, romaine and red leaf lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, brussels sprouts, collards, arugula, beet greens, red and green cabbage, parsley, raw carrots, berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries), plums, peaches, apples, oranges (in moderation), red and purple grapes (in moderation), cherries, etc. are all good choices. Paler colored foods are permissible, but not as desirable. Melons, celery, cucumbers, white grapes, bananas and pineapple contain more water and sugar and less anti-inflammatory nutrients but are better than processed snack foods. Sugar is very inflammatory can cause weight gain and actually inhibit your immune system, so it makes you more prone to becoming sick.

A good source of protein is nuts. Walnuts and almonds are preferable, but cashews and pecans are occasionally permitted. When possible, try to eat raw nuts to retain the healthy oils. Limit red meat to one to two meals per week. Eat fish at least twice per week. Tuna is considered fish. It is recommended that people eating two servings of fish per week still need to supplement with omega 3 fish oil. Three to four teaspoons per day.

If you are eating at a restaurant, ask for the starch (rice, potato, pasta, bread…) to be substituted for more vegetables.

Drink six to eight glasses (8 oz) of pure (recommended distilled or filtered) water per day. Adding some freshly squeeze lemon juice to water is permissible. Try not to drink fruit juice because of the high sugar content. Avoid carbonated beverages.

​​​​​​​For weight loss, all starch vegetables should be avoided and limit your fruit intake to occasional berries. Until the desired weight is reached.