Chronic Inflammation – Can Diet Fuel The Flame?
Running short on time and don’t have a plan for dinner? The drive-through is always open and the burger combo with fries and soft drink will satisfy those hunger pangs.
Fast foods, ultra-processed and packaged products, along with sugary, plus deep fried, greasy foods can all lead to fanning the pro-inflammatory state.
Five million Canadians live with a condition that is complicated by chronic inflammation. Daily eating habits can fuel that inflammatory state.
Diseases, including cardiovascular, inflammatory bowel disease, type II diabetes, cancer and depression are just some examples of conditions that are characterized by chronic inflammation.
There has been a recent trend towards diet and nutrition to improve overall health. The anti-inflammatory diet is a buzzword that is growing in popularity, with evidence mounting to help provide the science to back this plant-focused lifestyle.
Research demonstrates that eating a whole foods, more plant-based diet can help offer protective elements to prevent developing chronic diseases and help with quelling chronic inflammation.
Foods such as broccoli, leafy greens, avocado, sweet potatoes, berries, kidney beans, salmon, walnuts and pumpkin seeds can all fit in to an anti-inflammatory diet.
Plant foods with fibre offer fuel for the microbes in the gut and GI tract. Minimally processed, whole foods from Mother Nature’s bounty provide important components, such as anti-oxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols that have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body.
Planning ahead for meals and time of hunger can help arm you with the supplies and foods to make a healthy whole food dinner to elevate your health instead of sabotaging it.