Research shows that a significant contributor to chronic inflammation comes from what we eat. You may be surprised to learn that many of the inflammatory foods are in your diet.

 

Unfortunately, when you eat them daily, your body’s immune system is constantly activated. Over time, this constant inflammatory response can lead to weight gain, drowsiness, skin problems, digestive issues, and a host of diseases, from diabetes to obesity to cancer.

 

There are too many foods to list but grouping them makes it easier. Below are some of the culprits, staying away from these will decrease chronic inflammation in your body, help you lose weight, clean up your skin and assist with disease prevention.

 

• Chemicals and GMOs: Conventional produce and dried food, farmed fish, GM food like corn, soy, canola, sugar beets, and others are continually being introduced to our food supply.

• Processed foods with artificial additives: Breakfast cereals, crackers, snack food, candy, ice cream.

• Vegetable Oil: Mayonnaise, salad dressings, barbecue sauce, crackers, breads, potato chips.

• Sugar & Artificial Sweeteners: Pop, snack bars, candy, baked sweets, coffee drinks, no-sugar-added products, no calorie or diet drinks.

• Fried foods: French fries, fried chicken, fish sticks, chicken tenders, onion rings, donuts.

• Refined Flour: White bread, cookies, muffins, crackers, pasta, pretzels, flour tortillas, breakfast cereals, bagels, snack food

• Dairy: Milk, yogurt, butter, soft cheeses. Yogurt can be debated for its probiotic benefits but in order to have a good effect on your gut you need to eat a very large bowl of it! There is a much easier way to get your probiotics.

• Processed Meats: Sausages, hot dogs, bologna, bacon, jerky.

• Conventional Grain-Fed Meats: Chicken, beef, pork.

• Alcohol: Beer, wine and liquors… too much is not good.

 

If you avoid these foods, not only will you lower your inflammation and start losing weight but most importantly you will lower your chances of developing disease. And if you are wondering what is left to eat after eliminating this list, next week I will cover some of the good, anti-inflammatory foods to add to your diet.

 

If you’re looking for a healthy start to your day download my free Better Breakfast recipe e-book HERE.