Skip to main content

Non Drug Pain Management Ideas: Beware of Inflammatory Foods!






Thinking back on last week's series on the Anti-Inflammatory diet, I realized that you now have lots of information on what to eat--but not much information on what NOT to eat.

So here is a short list to help you along:

As discussed in my post on fruits and vegetables ,some RA patients do not tolerate members of the nightshade family because these foods can provoke the inflammatory response.

Alcohol intake in excess is known to provoke inflammation.  Regular consumption of alcohol can promote the inflammatory response from head to toe, especially the larynx, liver, and stomach.

Beware of processed, packaged, or prepared foods--there is some likelihood that they contain harmful oils, sugar, and artificial sweeteners.  Sometimes we really don't know what we are eating!

Avoid hydrogenated and trans fats. There are known healthy alternatives to these ingredients, but in many cases they are not used by grocery stores and bakeries.

White sugar and sweets are some of the most addicting substances we know.  Carbohydrates tend to provoke inflammation--and these are carbohydrates, so best to avoid them.  Grab yourself a piece of fresh fruit instead.

Wheat products/gluten containing grains are known causes of inflammation.  That's why celiac patients do not eat them, and why the gluten free craze has run amok.

Food additives such as colors, flavor enhancers, stabilizers, preservatives, etc. The main ones include sulfites, benzoates, and colors named FD&C #”X.” They are all chemicals, not nutrients.  Not natural in any way shape or form.  What possible good could come from ingesting these?

This list is by no means all-inclusive..if you do a little homework you will discover lots of things you never knew about what you are eating..and why a good home-cooked meal is one of the best things in existence!

Source: Top 12 Foods That Cause Inflammation










Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Living with Chronic pain hits the big screen!

Been to the movies lately?  Jennifer Aniston is on the big screen in a recent release titled "Cake." Her character, Claire is a victim of chronic pain...she belongs to a support group, where all of the members are coming to terms with the suicide of one of their members.  Of course, she also takes pain medication and addiction is another of her problems...and of course there's more! I guess I am writing this post just to bring readers' attention to the fact that Hollywood has become aware of the crisis that is chronic pain.  This movie is a testament to that. People that don't have to live with this kind of pain don't fully understand the whole story.  Maybe this movie will shed some light on the issues. Here is the official trailer for the movie: Sources: prweb;NorthJersey.com;YouTube

Sciatica: A common pain in the butt!

Sciatica pain results from pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve.  This nerve originates in the spine and runs down through the buttocks and the back of the leg...so if you've ever literally had a pain in the butt, it is possible that sciatica is the problem.  The cause of the pressure can be from a number of sources...for instance,  compression in the spinal cord due to disc injury or a tumor. The sciatica pain sensation can vary widely..it can present as a numbness or tingling, dull ache, burning, and in severe cases the pain can make movement quite difficult. Over time, it is possible for sciatica to resolve on its own.  If it does not, it is important to seek medical help to determine the root cause of the pain. The usual first course of remedies for sciatica include ice application to the affected area for the first 48-72 hours, followed by heat.  Over the counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are also appropriate.  ...

Non Drug Pain Management Ideas: Applying the 80/20 Principle

The idea for today's post comes from my husband, who has in recent years become a follower of the paleo/primal diet.  Most of the time he is very strict about this diet, making sure not to eat anything taboo.  On occasion, he breaks from the rigidity of his new found way of life and enjoys a few cookies, maybe a bottle of beer, or a new pasta dish. Why, you ask?  He says that according to others who follow this course, there is an 80/20 rule.  This means that that if you adhere to the rules 80% of the time, you can allow yourself some leeway the other 20% of the time.  It is important to bring this concept to the readers of this blog for a number of reasons: 1)If you have been following this blog at all, you know there are a lot of lifestyle changes that can tremendously enhance relief from chronic pain.  For a lot of people this not an easy thing to do.  By opting to follow the 80/20 rule these lifestyle modifications suddenl...