Are You Stoking the Fire?

We’ve all experienced the benefits of inflammation in response to injury or illness. This aspect of our immune system causes pain, swelling and heat as it rallies resources to the site to enable the body to heal.

Such acute inflammation is vital, yet when the fire continues to smolder, it becomes the chronic inflammation that leads to disease, faster aging and weight gain. Could you be inadvertently stoking this fire with the food and drink you are consuming?

It is quite possible if you are …. 

Not drinking enough water
When your body is deprived of this vital resource, cellular function slows, nutrients aren’t delivered properly, and every organ in your body from your heart to your skin if effected. Lack of adequate water can also cause fatigue, brain fog, headaches, joint pain, hunger, cravings, weight gain and more. Drink at least half your body weight in water (not water-based beverages) daily.

Eating processed foods
Junk foods and fast foods, which are highly processed, are engineered to be appealing and addictive so that you consume them repeatedly. They are a primary cause of obesity and illness.

Eating the wrong type of grains
Grains that are refined to flour and listed on ingredient lists as “wheat” or “wheat flour” create an inflammatory response identical to sugar. A better choice would be whole grains such as whole oats, brown rice or quinoa.

Using the wrong cooking oils
The high omega-6 content of vegetable, canola, corn and soy oils encourage inflammation. Swap these out for anti-inflammatory oils like olive, macadamia and coconut oils.

Drinking diet sodas
Diet sodas contain artificial, laboratory-made sweeteners that can lead to increased insulin response which can trigger weight gain, type 2 diabetes and other inflammatory health conditions. Douse the fire by choosing sparkling water with lime or infused waters.

Eating sugar regularly
Sugar is the number one fuel of chronic inflammation. Sugar and its cousin, high fructose corn syrup, are two of the many sweet culprits that can have serious health consequences including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and obesity.

Not eating enough leafy greens
How often do dark leafy green vegetables appear on your plate? I’m talking about spinach, broccoli, kale, chard, and collard greens, which are packed with anti-inflammatory nutrients that reverse inflammation in the body. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, these greens can be included and your body will thank you!

You can support your body’s ability to quench the fire by mindfully choosing the foods and drinks you consume. Believe me, it’s worth changing your habits to live your coming years without pain and disease!