Foods to Decrease Inflammation

Living with inflammation in your joints and other body parts can be miserable. There’s nothing worse than getting out of bed and grimacing the second you put your feet on the floor. Not only that but if it becomes a chronic issue, it could lead to a stroke and heart disease. Also, inflammation puts people at a higher risk for other illnesses like cancer. 

There are many things that can help like going to a store and picking up the best portable massage chair you can buy, getting a private massage, or using anti-inflammatory medications to loosen your stiff body. You could also eat food that decreases inflammation. 

The Importance of Good Food

What you eat does not just impact your weight. The choices you make when you snack or sit down for a meal affects nearly every function your body performs. As someone who lives their life with psoriatic arthritis and other autoimmune disorders, I can tell you that if you fill your body with unhealthy food, your body will react angrily. 

Luckily, there are foods that are not just good for you, but they can also help fight inflammation. 

Foods to Reduce Inflammation

Changing your diet is probably one of the hardest things to do, especially if you are used to eating a lot of processed food. One of the hardest parts is figuring out where to start, but in this case, it is pretty simple. 

Remember these three things: antioxidants, plants and Omega-3s. Also, the more colorful your diet, the better. 

Antioxidants 

First up are antioxidants which can help your body repair and prevent tissue damage. Food with vitamins E and C have these properties, so does lycopene and beta-carotene. There are also antioxidant supplements that can reduce the inflammation in your body if you add them in your diet. 

The food below contains antioxidants:

• Almonds
• Swiss chard
• Lemons
• Apricots
• Pink grapefruit
• Avocado
• Peanuts
• Oranges
• Sunflower seeds
• Berries
• Cantelope
• Mangos
• Peaches

Plants

Of course, eating a lot of plants is great for your body in a number of ways but especially when you are trying to reduce swelling. Munch on some of these every day:

• Swiss chard
• Red peppers
• Spinach
• Snow peas
• Brussels sprouts
• Tomatoes
• Pumpkin
• Broccoli
• Legumes

Again, just keep it colorful and you’ll be good. 

Omega-3s

Eating fish is the best way to add omega-3s to your diet. Incorporate some of these into your anti-inflammation diet:

• Anchovies
• Mackerel
• Herring
• Sardines
• Salmon
• Cod liver oil
• Snow crab

If you are not a fan of fish, work some of these nuts and seeds into your daily menu:

• Walnuts
• Flax seeds
• Chia seeds
• Macadamia nuts

Don’t worry, if you are a coffee drinker you can keep sipping on your black gold. 

Foods to Avoid

Just like there are certain foods you want to work into your diet, there is stuff you should avoid. Sadly, some of these things are delicious and it may be difficult to say goodbye, but it’s worth it:

• Sugar
• Soda
• Fried Food
• Salt
• Red meat
• Pizza
• Cheese
• Pasta

Everything in Moderation

Don’t freak out, you can do this. Keep in mind, you don’t have to give up cheese for the rest of your life, just don’t eat it all the time. As long as you aren’t eating these things all the time, it’s fine. 

An easy way to do that is to set a meal aside every week and “cheat.” Eat whatever you want at that meal and then go back to your healthy lifestyle after it’s over. Once you become accustomed to your new diet, the less you will want the foods of your past. 

It shouldn’t take very long to notice a difference in the way you feel.

Category: Food.Fun.Stuff.