Prioritizing Anti-Inflammatory Foods
With the outbreak of COVID-19, most of us are focusing on immunity.
Bringing the focus to decreasing inflammation is also of huge importance.
In times like these, many of us get caught in fight or flight, and cycles of stress. Stress leads to increased inflammation, which is hard on our bodies and beings, especially now.
That’s been the case for me! The more I focus on the details of the daily news during this pandemic, the more my digestion suffers. Now, I check in with the local county news website daily, and that's about it. My partner, Philip, stays pretty connected to world news and occasionally shares the key points with me.
We have a second nervous system in our gut, and the sense of feeling butterflies in our stomach is not in our imagination — rather, it's rooted in our physiology.
There is an opportunity for us to focus on relaxation and self-care, like never before. There is an opportunity for a conscious uprising of self-care and heartful togetherness; oneness through connection with oneself first.
We're being called to do so, and there is more time and space available than before, for most of us.
“When we’re in a constant state of inflammation from stress, underlying health issues can rise to the surface.”
Stress-induced inflammation will easily lead to a flare-up for those of us with an autoimmune condition, unless we're caring for ourselves daily. Stress triggers gut inflammation. When this happens, it becomes more difficult to absorb nutrients properly. As a result, other underlying health issues and old injuries may rise to the surface.
Paradoxically, stress also moves us to eat foods that are inflammatory as a coping response — namely, refined sugars, sodas, empty calorie-based foods like chips, pizza, and other processed foods.
Ultimately, an excess of stress + inflammatory foods create the perfect storm within our bodies.
So, what can we do to decrease inflammation?
Eat a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods! This is so helpful.
These are foods that don't stress the gut, the nervous system, or the musculoskeletal system.
Anti-inflammatory foods help reduce stress.
Remember: we’re in this for the long haul. There is a long road ahead of us in these complex times we’re in.
Have you been eating and drinking as if you’re on vacation? You aren't alone. You can begin again right now.
“It’s never too late to start fresh, or have a gentle reset.”
Here is a list of anti-inflammation foods based on a Harvard publication.
I find this Harvard food list helpful, but I do know that many folks can't eat nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, etc.), so I've come up with my own list of anti-inflammation foods below:
Anti-inflammation foods:
Olive oil
Fatty fish: salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines
Grass-fed meats, local if possible
Green leafy vegetables: kale, spinach, collards
Fruits: strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges
Nuts: almonds and walnuts
Roots: garlic, turmeric, ginger
Food preparation ideas:
Wild Salmon Salad: This is my gift to you! Download your free recipe now.
Collards: Steam them for 10 to 20 seconds each. Run cool water over them, and use them as tortillas, rolling up foods inside. Try curried lentils and cauliflower rice, or rotisserie chicken salad, all rolled up inside in a collard green!
Orange-marinated fruit: Squeeze orange juice over sliced strawberries, blueberries and cherries. Toss in fresh mint if you happen to have it!
Roast nuts: Roast almonds and walnuts for 10 minutes with a bit of olive oil and sea salt for a simple healthy snack!
Find more delicious and simple anti-inflammation recipes in my cookbook Heartful Kitchen, currently 25% off with the coupon NOURISHINGSPRING, as my way to support you with healthy home cooking during these complex times.