Hi Wellness Warriors! Today I want to share with you some of the more inflammatory foods that most people are consuming.

Gluten:

There is a lot of conflicting information out there about Gluten and who should avoid it. While people with celiac disease should certainly stay away, what about the rest of us? Unfortunately there is plenty of research to suggest that eating gluten causes aging, inflammation, and digestive issues. Gluten stimulates the over production of zonulin, which is a protein that controls the permeability of your gut. This can contribute to autoimmune disease, interferes with thyroid function and depletes Vitamin D. Do I indulge in gluten every now and then? Yes, but in my opinion it’s just not worth it very often. Luckily there are hundreds of products to choose from these days that are gluten free. Siete Foods and Simple Mills are some of my faves.

Dairy:

With all the messages around how milk is so good for you (Got Milk) it’s easy to be confused when it comes to whether or not dairy is something you should include in your diet. The truth is about 70% or more of people are actually unable to digest milk or other dairy products properly or are lactose intolerant. Sadly, more often than not the cows that the milk/dairy comes from are not raised or cared for in a very humane way. Dairy can cause inflammation in the body, trigger acne and contribute to digestion issues. It’s easier than ever to find good alternatives to dairy. I love KiteHill dips and yogurts and Califia Farms has wonderful nut/oat milks and creamers.

Sugar:

Of all the inflammatory things on this list, this would be the one I would work to eliminate the most. And it’s probably the hardest for most people as it is designed to be addictive. And it’s hidden in all kinds of things we don’t even think about. Sugar causes weight gain, can increase your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. It can cause acne, increases your risk of depression and ages you faster. The list goes on and on. When working with clients on trying to break the sugar habit I recommend using pure raw honey (because it has other benefits), pure maple syrup or dates to sweeten things up as you move to less and less of the white stuff.

GMOs:

Genetically Modified Organisms are just that…organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a lab. Most packaged foods contain ingredients derived from corn, soy, canola or sugar beet and most of those crops grown in North America are genetically modified. Many of them are sprayed with pesticides and herbicides like glyphosate or Round Up which is now classified as a probable human carcinogen. Look for foods with the Non GMO label on them.

Cooking Oils:

There are so many choices when it comes to cooking oils. You want to look for ones that are high in saturated fat vs high in polyunsaturated fat. Good ones to consider are olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil or ghee. Stay away from canola oil, vegetable oil, fake butter, soybean oil and sunflower oil. They are all high in Omega-6s which can trigger inflammation in the body. Oils are also in things we wouldn’t think about like peanut butter for example. Look for natural brands that have only a few ingredients.

This doesn’t mean that everybody should NEVER have foods with these ingredients. It is all about balance and paying attention to how you feel. Enjoying something you love now and then is important. Start being more mindful of how you feel when you don’t consume these things and how you feel when you do. Everybody is different so it’s important to listen to your body and how you feel.

XO,

Nicole