Inflammation is the culprit to most diseases and problems in the body.  When inflammation occurs, it means the body is trying to heal.  Taking care of the cause of what is causing the inflammation is key to having a vibrant, healthy life.  

Many of us have a busy lifestyle and cooking a meal is not always easy.  That is why fast foods have become so popular. Unfortunately, that is also why we are getting sicker.  Then to top off the problem, we are taking synthetic medicines that are also stressing our systems. These may keep us from pain but they do our body and systems become stressed to the drugs because they are seen as foreign to the body.  That is why food is the best way of healing our body.

Here is a list of inflammatory foods:

• Nightshades:
  These include white potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, paprika
• Fried foods
• Sodas
• Refined Carbohydrates
• Lard
• Processed meats
  
  When inflammation becomes chronic it can lead to very serious conditions such as heart problems, arthritis, diabetes, obesity and allergies.  
  
  So what can we do about inflammation?  Here are some lifestyle changes for eating to keep inflammation down:
  
  1. The mediterranean diet:  
  This diet includes healthy fats, plant based foods, fruit and whole grains
  
  2. DASH Diet:
  This diet is specifically for people with Hypertension. It is similar to the mediterranean diet but limits sodium to 2,300 mg per day.  
  
  3. MIND Diet:
  This is a mash up of the mediterranean and DASH diet.  
  
  Lets break this down. Here are some foods you can add to your diet to compensate for taking out the junk food you may have been eating and not even know it was causing inflammation:
• Fresh fruit
• Dried fruit
• Vegetables (especially broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and bok choy)
• Plant based proteins (chickpeas, seitan, tofu and lentils)
• Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, albacore tuna, herring. lake trout and mackerel)
• Leafy greens (kale, spinach, romaine lettuce)
• Ginger
• Nuts
• Seeds (Chia, flaxseed)
• Omega 3 fatty acids (avocados and olive oil)
• Green Tea
• Peppermint tea (great for digestion)
  
  The best thing you can do is cook for yourself.  When you get your foods somewhere else, you don't really know what is in it.  They could use canola oil or foods with large amounts of pesticides which is totally inflammatory and unhealthy.  
  
  Salads are so easy to make and really take only a few minutes to make.  If you are eating later, put the salad dressing on the side so it doesn't get soggy.  Smoothies are also very good for you and you can grind up spinach, kale, ginger and add your favorite fruit for flavor.  
  
  Once you have changed your eating habits, your palate will change and you will crave these foods and not crave old foods that may have been contributing to inflammation and pain.  
  
  Good luck!
  
  Dr. Amie Gregory, DC, CCEP, ANF is a San Francisco, CA and San Carlos, CA chiropractor that understands full body health.  She works with athletes, expectant moms, office workers and everyone else in between.  Contact our San Francisco, CA chiropractic office or San Carlos, CA chiropractic office today tp find out how we can help you with your health goals. 
  
  References:
  https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/anti-inflammatory-diet-benefits-food-list-tips/