Happy-inflamation Free-holidays!

Wouldn’t it be great to feel better, be pain free, not stiff or sore and therefore enjoy Happy Holidays this year? Of course and you need to know of several steps to start yourself toward that.

Pain, stiffness, high blood pressure, bad backs, stiff necks, sore joints are all probably caused by an excessive amount of inflammation in your body. What is inflammation?

The Definition of inflammation, according to About.com is:
An immune response to injury or infection causing pain, redness, heat, and swelling in the affected area. Heat from inflammation is produced because of increased circulation as white blood cells and chemicals are rushed to protect us from foreign invaders, allergens, toxins or infections. Common allergens that produce inflammation are pollens, gluten in wheat, cow milk, and yeast from baked goods, beer and wine. Inflammation can also result from injury. It may create unpleasant sensations such as swollen joints that feel warm, pain, stiffness, fever, chills, fatigue, headaches and muscle stiffness.

Okay, now lets talk about trying to alleviate some of that in our system and the most logical way is by our diet. What we put in our mouths everyday. Obviously we need to stop eating some things and begin to eat others.

Some things to cut back on first. Lets keep it simple and common.

1. Soda or pop. Either diet or regular. Too much sugar in regular and the discussion and concern about diet sweeteners is ongoing. Until the dieticians and nutritionists agree, I don’t like to gamble with my health.

2. Fats. Fried meat still tastes good and most of us fix it that way too regularly don’t we. Baked, grilled, boiled are all better than pan fried and cut back on the portion, try to get under 10% of your meals being meat of any kind.

3. Processed foods. A certain amount is almost inescapable in today’s society but we need to make a concerted effort to prepare more of our meals from raw ingredients. It does take more time, but when planned ahead, not that much. When is the last time you used that crock pot under the counter?

Alright, enough of the negatives. What can we add to our diets to help?

1. Organic! As much as possible, if you can afford it buy organic. These foods do not have the added “stuff” to preserve and enhance. Enhance it yourself with fresh spices, different ingredients, experiment! You might end up on the Food Channel!

2. Fresh Vegetables! In this day and age we can purchase fresh year around anywhere we live in the Western Hemisphere. I live in Nebraska and we can get vegetables, fruit, even fish picked or caught on either coast yesterday!

3. Fruit! And lots of it! The FDA is now suggesting 7 -9 servings of fruit everyday. Again, we are blessed to be able to purchase good fruit year around. Include more berries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries. It may come from South America in January, but hey, wash it good like you would anyway and enjoy. Have a fruit bowl in the kitchen available to all family members instead of “junk food” snacks.

Fruits and vegetables contain the most phytonutrients and antioxidants that are easily found and consumed than any other foods. These nutrients are essential to fighting free radicals which lead to inflamation in our system, and getting rid of the inflammation is the objective isn’t it?

It will take some work, planning and diligence on your part, but hey, aren’t you worth it?

Oh, and drink lots of water, water, and more water!