Step outside your box and get creative- it’s not as limiting as you think.

What does a healthy breakfast look like to you? Bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast? Coffee with cream and sugar? Fruit smoothie? For people with inflammation issues, celiac disease, IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome) and others these foods are triggers and can cause extreme discomfort and an exacerbate inflammation in the body.

Here is my list of some common inflammatory foods. (some may surprise you)

1.       Sugar (white and sweets)- This includes soft drinks and sweetened juices. Research shows that sugar is one of the most addicting substances. It is highly inflammatory. Sugar is a hard habit to kick- much like smoking- your body will crave it. To reduce your consumption eat fresh fruit instead of that candy bar.

2.       Synthetic sweeteners- (Splenda, aspartame, Equal, NutraSweet, etc.) in diet sodas- stay away from it. It’s been linked to all sorts of Cancer.

3.       Meat- I am not suggesting you become a full pledged Vegetarian or Vegan- stay away from grain feed (often mostly corn) meat. Grass feed meat may cost a little more up front- however- there is no monetary value you can put on your health.

4.       Iodized Salt- Choose unrefined salt. It contains naturally different minerals, not just sodium. Choose sea salt or pink salt.

5.       Wheat products- Wheat is highly acid forming and inflammatory to the body. Most wheat today has been genetically modified (GM).

6.       Dairy, Milk, soft cheese, butter, yogurt- Dairy is a common allergen and can trigger inflammatory reactions through the release of histamines. If you feel bloated after a few bites of cheese you might consider cutting from your diet.

7.       Processed Meats- Bacon (yes! Bacon), Hot Dogs, Sausage and cold cuts. They are typically made from red meats high in saturated fats and the contain high levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), inflammatory compounds that are created when these processed meats are dried, smoked, pasteurized and cooked at high temps.

8.       Store bought bread made from refined flour- It can be harder for our bodies to digest the bread’s gluten, causing inflammation. Sourdough bread is one of the surprising fermented foods that provides healthy probiotics to help heal your gut- key in helping reduce inflammation.

Now you’re thinking-GREAT! What CAN I eat?  Surprisingly, A LOT! Here are some examples-

·         Leafy Greens

·         Sweet Potatoes

·         Quinoa

·         Oranges

·         Baby Carrots

·         Broccoli

·         Butternut Squash

·         Blueberries

·         Beets

·         Celery

·         Pineapple

·         Salmon

·         Chicken

·         Walnuts

·         Almonds

·         Coconut milk

·         Ghee (Clarified butter)

·         Bone Broth

·         Grass Feed Beef

·         Brussel Sprouts

·         Apples

Step outside your box and get creative- it’s not as limiting as you think.