Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or sickness; it protects the body and stimulates the healing process. However, many people experience chronic inflammation, which can seriously hinder weight-loss efforts and increase your risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more. This persistent inflammation is largely caused by diet choices.
You may be suffering from chronic inflammation if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Weight gain or inability to lose weight, especially around the waist area.
- Gas, bloating, heartburn and other digestive issues
- Consistent fatigue
- “Brain fog”
- Depression
You can fight chronic inflammation by changing your diet. After several weeks of removing inflammatory foods from your diet and adding whole foods, you will begin to feel better physically, gain mental clarity, and lose that stubborn weight.
Here are some foods that cause inflammation:
- Sugars: candy, soda, and foods that contain high-fructose corn syrup
- Refined Carbs: white bread, regular pasta, corn
- Processed Meat: bacon, jerky, sausage, ham, smoked meats
- Fried Foods
- Alcohol
These foods can be safe and in some cases healthy in moderation, but if you are experiencing chronic inflammation, we recommend cutting them out of your diet completely until they are cleansed from your system. During this time, you should be adding non-processed, whole foods into your diet. Some of these foods can even fight back against your inflammation.
Here are some anti-inflammatory foods:
- Leafy Greens: spinach, kale, arugula, collards
- Nuts: almonds, walnuts
- Fatty Fish: salmon, tuna, sardines
- Olive Oil
- Fresh Fruits
You can certainly use these tips to create a healthier diet plan and decrease your chronic inflammation, but every body responds differently to food. Finding out how your body responds to certain foods is critical in developing a personalized weight-loss plan that yields lasting results. If you feel that you may be suffering from chronic inflammation and you’d like the help of a nutritional expert to create a custom plan for your diet and exercise, contact us at 508.207.6608 and set up an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you begin a healthier life!
