9 Foods to Avoid If You Suffer from Inflammation

When it comes to burning body fat and toning decreasing inflammation is essential. This will help increase energy, decrease arthritis, help you sleep better and improve your overall health. If you are looking to start seeing changes and feeling better swapping these 9 foods is the place to start.

Processed Meats

Look for varieties that are nitrate and nitrite free. If you are eating bacon four days a week, reduce it to two.

Sugary Drinks 

Regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages can increase inflammation and  also be linked to diseases like obesity, insulin, resistance, and systemic inflammation.

Trans Fats

Which are often found in fried foods, have been shown to trigger systemic inflammation within the body. The consumption of trans fats is also correlated with an increased risk of insulin resistance and obesity.

White Bread 

The consumption of sugars—found in refined carbohydrate products like white bread—try opting for better-for-you varieties of bread such as whole-grain options that are higher in fiber, multigrain bread with seeds, or even gluten-free bread. Think about switching to open-face sandwiches as an easy way to reduce your bread intake.

Gluten 

Eaters who are embracing a gluten-free lifestyle have more options than ever; gluten-free pizza crusts, breads, pastas, and more. A word of caution, even though a food is gluten free, it still has calories. If a gluten-free diet has been recommended to you to lose weight (which can lighten the load on your joints), you still have to pay attention to maintain balance in your diet and your portion sizes.

Processed Snack Foods 

Processed snack foods contain the trifecta of pro-inflammatory ingredients: refined carbs or sugars, trans fats, and vegetable oils. Most chips and crackers are void of nutrients and are often high in sodium. If you are snacking on cheese and crackers, try swapping the crackers out for veggies. Keeping snacks balanced is as important as keeping meals balanced.

Sugary Treats

The thought of giving up favorite desserts is depressing. But think about how you feel when do you indulge. Do you find that the next day your joints feel a little stiffer? Maybe your energy is a little lagging. It's not about restriction but rather the notion of realization. If you don't feel good when you eat something, don't eat it! Like processed snack foods, desserts often include the heavy hitters for promoting inflammation: sugar and trans fats.

Excess Alcohol 

Studies that keeping alcohol in moderation is key especially when it comes to avoiding fat storing and inflammation  

MSG

This food additive is a flavor enhancer that is found in thousands of canned and prepared foods, deli meats, and is also used in fast food restaurants.