Nutrition & Health

STAYING FULLY HYDRATED BY DRINKING AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF WATER IS MOST IMPORTANT IN PREVENTING INFLAMMATION!

In order to keep inflammation down in your body, what you put into your body is 100% related to how much swelling your muscles and joints experience with exercise!

Below is a list of the 5 Worst Foods for you to be eating that cause unnecessary inflammation in your bodies!

  1. Any item that contains a significant amount of refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup (or any form of processed sugar) will result in increased inflammation (and weight gain) in your body! Soda, candy, cakes, cookies, some cereals, and many more sweets contain these sugars. Check ingredients to see how many grams of sugar you are taking in! I avoid these types of sweets altogether!

  2. Any foods containing unhealthy oils and saturated fat or trans fat. All of the following oils have high omega-6 contents which contribute to inflammation (and weight gain) in the body. Avoid soybean oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, sesame oil and rice bran oil. Olive oil is one of the best oils! Coconut oil and avocado oil are also much better for you.

  3. Tomatoes naturally produce a toxin called solanine. This toxin is believed to contribute to inflammation, swelling, and joint pain.

  4. Refined carbohydrates (breads, bagels, pizza, and more) can increase levels of inflammation!

  5. Processed meats (ham, sausage, hot dogs, pepperoni, and beaf jerky), especially barbecued meat can create inflammation!

(Alcoholic beverages also cause inflammation in the body so remember that when you are older!)

Now here are some Good Foods to eat!

  1. Almost all raw fruits and raw or steamed vegetables (but remember to avoid tomatoes)! Some items in my diet include spinach leaves, carrots, sweet peas, cabbage, broccoli, radishes, cucumbers, watermelon, blueberries, cantaloupe, dried cranberries, strawberries, grapes, bananas, kiwi, and more! Fruit is sweet and great for you! Also, pineapple has been shown to reduce inflammation!

  2. Nuts and seeds! I like to put walnuts, almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds on my salads! I really like cashews too! I always buy tree nuts that are raw and unsalted!

  3. Oatmeal!

  4. Eggs!

  5. Lean meats and fish!

  6. Sweet potatoes! (My mother always tried to get me to eat them and now I'm learning about how good they are for you!)

  7. Avocado! (Maybe you can put some slices on a sandwich or enjoy some guacamole!)