You know as well as I do that the poor food choices we make aren’t doing us favors in regard to pain!
Those of us with physical or mental pain can crave comforting macaroni and cheese or crunchy nachos topped with ground beef, sour cream and salsa. Personally, I get massive cravings for plain buttered pasta — you know, the kind a kid would eat.
That being said, I’m trying to push past the cravings and take more control of my pain by reducing inflammation in my body. Here’s what I intend to eat to get started.
Foods that fight inflammation
Dark Chocolate
According to Scientific American, “Cocoa is good for your heart because of fermentation by gut bacteria, creating anti-inflammatory compounds that improve blood vessel function.”
Black Beans
Black beans are bursting with antioxidants that fight inflammation and are a rich source of fiber. Here are some healthy recipes containing black beans.
Wild Salmon
Fatty fish, like wild salmon, have anti-inflammatory properties and are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, an alternative supplement to help treat arthritis.
Pineapple
Pineapples contain bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme and natural anti-inflammatory.
Blueberries
Blueberries are high in carotenoids, an organic pigment found in fruit that reduce inflammation.
Further reading
If you’re interested in learning more about inflammation and how it affects your pain, or learning more about anti-inflammatory diets, I found this Live Science article helpful.