Anti Inflammatory Diet Tips
I have been following most of the guidelines of an anti inflammatory diet for a little over 6 months now in order to help manage my pelvic floor dysfunction. All humans need their bodies to have some inflammation because it is the body's natural way of combating foreign invaders. Inflammation also helps heal injuries. The problem is when our bodies go into overdrive and we develop chronic inflammation. When there is chronic inflammation we are more at risk for conditions such as Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, as well as many, many other debilitating health problems. Some other conditions include: arthritis, diabetes, poor gut health, allergies, psoriasis, COPD, and heart disease. These are only some of the health issues associated with chronic inflammation. Stress and an unhealthy diet that is rampant with processed food, refined sugar (my personal addiction), alcohol, caffeine, and even too much red meat can be quite detrimental to our health and increase our risk for chronic inflammation. In short, the anti inflammatory diet is a common sense healthy lifestyle that is similar to, for instance, the Mediterranean diet. Eating healthy fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and high fiber foods while avoiding refined sugar, processed foods, and limiting things such as red meats and alcohol are key components to this diet. In my research, this diet also recommends avoiding dairy products, caffeine, carbonated beverages and eating gluten free products. I did have some challenges at first because my 3 favorite drinks were coffee, wine, and carbonated water! I limit my coffee now, and when I do consume it, I try to have decaff. I have also discovered Tumeric tea and it is delicious! The Tazo brand sells a turmeic latte on the shelf at Target and it is so good! I just add equal portions of the tea with unsweetened almond milk and some honey and microwave it for about 2 minutes. It is so yummy! Giving up the alcohol has benefited many in so many ways. I do have a drink occasionally, but honestly I do not miss it all that much, especially the hidden calories and mild hangovers that I would often experience. Giving up my beloved carbonated water has given me the opportunity to add the recommended regular 6 to 8 glasses of water to my diet. I do stray from the diet at times by indulging in sweets here and there and also sometimes eating products with gluten as I do not have a gluten intolerance. Occasionally I will consume regular coffee instead of decaff. I have found, however, that trying to follow the lifestyle and eating habits suggested with an anti inflammatory diet have helped me tremendously with my pain.
Another plus of the anti inflammatory diet is that vegans and vegetarians can pretty easily follow this diet!
Below are some links with videos and articles on the benefits of this lifestyle, tips for vegans and vegetarians, and recipes!
Here are some good links for more information on the anti inflammatory diet and also a great link for vegans and vegetarians who choose to follow this diet:
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