When you live a balanced lifestyle, you tend to feel good both physically and mentally. The human body is like a factory that can’t produce energy optimally unless it’s given the right types of fuel. Eating a nutritious, wholesome diet is the best way to give your body the energy it needs to thrive.

On the other hand, eating the wrong types of food can rob your body of energy and keep you from feeling your best.. It can cause chronic inflammation in your body, leaving you bloated, tired, and in pain. Inflammatory foods are often rich in added sugar, trans fat, and even chemicals. Here’s what you should know about inflammatory foods, how to avoid them, and what to eat instead.

Your Body’s Alarm System: What Inflammation Really Does

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, illness, or unwanted invaders. The body sends a flood of white blood cells to the impacted area to heal the tissues and destroy harmful intruders. As a result of this natural response, the injured area becomes warm, swollen, and painful. Acute (short-term) inflammation is the body’s way of protecting itself. It’s an essential part of the immune response and is the reason why humans don’t typically die from everyday injuries or illnesses.  

Unfortunately, the inflammatory response can get a little out of hand and lead to chronic inflammation. This can happen when we constantly expose our bodies to foods that cause inflammation. If the body can’t rid itself of the offending substances it’s continuously exposed to, it may remain in a constant state of inflammation. That’s why it’s so important to follow an anti inflammatory diet plan for optimal health.

 When Your Body’s Alarm Won’t Turn Off: Understanding Chronic Inflammation

When you frequently eat sugary or processed foods, the body can become chronically inflamed. Here are some of the health risks associated with regularly eating inflammatory foods:

• Cardiovascular Disease: This is the leading cause of death around the globe and is linked to a poor diet.
• Autoimmune Diseases: Chronic inflammation can trigger autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Chronic inflammation and insulin resistance share a strong link and may contribute to type 2 diabetes.
• Neurodegenerative Disorders: New research asserts that Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases could be made worse by chronic inflammation.

These are just a few of the more serious health risks associated with eating foods that cause inflammation in the body. To decrease your risk of these and other health issues, eat anti inflammatory recipes that are rich in antioxidants, healthy fatty acids, and other inflammation-calming ingredients.  

Label-Reading Tip

If you’re not sure how to recognize inflammation-causing foods, watch for these red flag ingredients on product labels:

• High-fructose corn syrup
• Artificial colors
• Trans fats
• Artificial preservatives
• Artificial sweeteners

These are just a few of the top inflammatory ingredients included on many grocery store labels. Fortunately, you’ll never find them in Hungryroot products. We steer clear of inflammatory ingredients and offer some of the best anti inflammatory foods for your health and enjoyment.

What’s the Biggest Culprit Behind Chronic Inflammation?

There are many foods and ingredients that cause inflammation in the body. However, refined sugar is widely recognized as the most inflammatory ingredient of all. It’s classified as a simple or refined carbohydrate, meaning it has gone through extensive processing and has very little to no nutritional value. Refined sugar causes a sharp rise in insulin and blood sugar levels when consumed. Over time, chronic consumption of refined sugar can lead to prolonged inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.

Besides refined sugar, other top inflammatory foods include processed red meat (think fast-food burgers and bacon), fried foods, trans fats, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol. If you frequently eat these types of foods, you’ll feel so much better if you swap them for healthier options.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Eat Instead

Instead of eating food that makes you feel sick, bloated, and inflamed, come up with an anti-inflammatory grocery list that’s full of your favorite healthy ingredients. Choose nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich foods like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, minimally processed lean meats, and healthy fats.

If you’re too busy to research and shop for the best groceries for inflammation, let Hungryroot do it for you! Our anti-inflammatory grocery delivery service makes healthy eating simple, quick, and delicious. You’ll combat inflammation and increase your overall wellness as you make the transition to an anti-inflammation meal plan. 

As one Reddit user says, “I use Hungryroot to help keep to an anti-inflammatory diet and I love all the choices, all the snacks and drinks … I’ve loved almost every meal I’ve had.”

Benefits of Anti-Inflammatory Food

Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into your daily meals can offer the following benefits:

• Reduced chronic inflammation
• Improved weight management
• Enhanced immune function
• Improved blood sugar and insulin levels
• Lower risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders

Besides the physical health benefits, eating anti-inflammatory foods can also boost your mental health.

How to Naturally Flush Inflammation:

If you’re currently struggling with chronic inflammation, here are a few ways to naturally lower it through 

• Eat anti-inflammatory foods: Anti-inflammatory whole foods contain the nutrients your body needs to combat inflammation. Ordering anti-inflammatory food delivery makes eating healthy easier for the average person.
• Stay hydrated: Your body needs plenty of water to flush out toxins and function optimally.
• Minimize your intake of processed foods: Sugary, processed foods contribute to inflammation. Minimize their intake and look up anti-inflammatory snacks to buy instead.

Other, non-dietary ways to flush inflammation out of your body include exercising regularly, managing stress, and prioritizing quality sleep. As you try to live a healthier lifestyle, you’ll start to notice a decrease in inflammation and all of the symptoms that come with it. 

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