In dietary forums, the word “inflammation” is often thrown around and occasionally misunderstood. When it relates to your health, inflammation is simply the body’s way of responding to injuries. By implementing an anti inflammatory diet plan, we can help fuel our body’s natural defenses. And that’s just an added bonus to our overall well-being!
So, why should the average woman in her 40s or 50s start an anti-inflammatory diet?
Benefits of Starting an Anti Inflammatory Diet Plan
What is Inflammation, and How Does it Show Up in the Body?
If you’ve ever lit a match and accidentally burned your finger on the lit phosphorus, you’ll recall the near-immediate pain, redness, and swelling. The same effect can come from falling onto concrete and skinning your knee or bruising your wrist and bumping into a wall.
Your body responds quickly to these mini-traumas. It increases blood flow to the hurt, localized area. Sometimes, this can result in unpleasant puffiness. Other, more drastic injuries might cause a purple, bulbous protrusion on the skin. Though unsightly, these reactions are crucial in the healing process. Inflammation defends against tissue damage, and it protects us from viruses.
In some cases, viruses can cause our inflammatory process to weaken. With diseases like HIV or hepatitis, the immune system suffers. This can cause inflammation to go unchecked and be quite harmful.
The most everyday, common forms of inflammation show up in our gut, joints, muscles, fascia, and sometimes skin. This is where an anti inflammatory diet can prove helpful. Choosing an anti inflammatory diet means:
- Better digestion
- Clearer skin
- Less joint pain
- Less stiffness or muscle soreness
- A healthier gut microbiome
- Increased energy
Which Foods are Inflammatory?
In most cases, anti-inflammatory foods are also foods that boost your metabolism. When you make the choice to live a healthier lifestyle, you’ll find the perks will only accumulate.
It may be that we don’t often consider inflammation when it comes to dieting. And that’s okay. But knowing that the body naturally works to heal our outer injuries, we are better suited to help the process.
Processed foods, saturated foods, and fatty red meat can be inflammation nightmares. Beyond these sorely obvious no-nos, there are some other, less commonly thought-of foods to avoid. White bread and other loaded carbohydrates like rice and pasta are generally not recommended in an anti-inflammatory diet. And of course, sugar and sugary snacks are always frowned upon when aiming for good health.
Recommended Foods for Anti Inflammatory Diets
As with any diet, your best bet is to always make healthy choices. The same truths apply: stay away from unprocessed foods. Try to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, chicken, and beans. Even low-fat dairy products can be good for all aspects of your systems!
Berries contain healthy elements such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. So get well acquainted with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or even boysenberries! If it’s got “berry” at the end of its name, pop it in your mouth and enjoy.
Broccoli is perhaps one of the best vegetables you can eat for anti inflammatory diets. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and brussels sprouts are all cruciferous vegetables. They are rich in sulforaphane, an antioxidant that decreases inflammation.
If you like fatty fish, you’re in luck! Salmon and tuna are excellent foods for your anti-inflammatory diet.
The next time you’re in the grocery store, pick up some ripe avocados, and green tea. Though they might not pair well together, consuming them separately will make your inflammatory processes happy.
Peppers and mushrooms often go hand in hand when making a delicious, anti-inflammatory dish. They also do wonders for boosting your metabolism!
Want to know more about an anti-inflammatory diet that’s right for you? How can it be specified to meet your weight loss goals? Lend us your determination and we’ll tailor a 10-week course specifically to your lifestyle. Contact us today to achieve amazing results!
