When you go to the grocery store and peruse the plant-based milks, it seems that more and more varieties appear. It’s as if milk can be made out of anything! There’s almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, oat milk, cashew milk, hazelnut milk, walnut milk, pistachio milk, hemp seed milk and many more. All of those dairy alternatives are healthy, right? Well, not entirely.

Before you randomly grab a carton of pea milk or almond milk off the shelf, keep in mind that they can be unhealthy. Much like dairy milks, plant-based milks can also be bad for your health. For example, dairy milks can contain added hormones and antibiotics, while some plant-based milks have emulsifiers, carrageenan, and added sugars.

In theory, plant-based milks should only contain water and the nut, seed, or grain that the milk is made out of. Almonds and water yield almond milk and oats and water yield oat milk. Of course, it’s always possible to add a little sea salt and raw agave or stevia to sweeten when you make it yourself. Some reputable brands (stored in the refrigerated section) produce plant-based milks with minimal ingredients. Because of this, they tend to have a shorter shelf-life, especially after opening. Plant-based milks that don’t require refrigeration tend to contain more preservatives. 

Plant-based milks are not always healthy, but they have the potential to be. Avoid plant-based milks that contain the following ingredients. 

Vegetable Oils

It’s very common for nut and seed milks to contain sunflower seed oil, safflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, or even canola oil. These do not belong in your plant-based milks. The vegetables, from which manufactures extract the oils, are commonly sprayed with heavy pesticides and GMOs. Corn and soybeans are the worst of the worst. On top of this, manufacturers use toxic solvents, high heat, and other agents that compromise the fatty acid structure of the plants. 

Emulsifiers

The two most popular emulsifiers in plant-based milks are xanthan gum and guar gum. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent made from fermenting yeast with corn or another sugar source. Not only can xanthan gum cause digestive discomfort and weight gain, but it may also increase the risk of colitis and other intestinal disorders. Guar gum, on the other hand, is from a bean plant. It’s very difficult to digest because of the highly processed nature. These are thickening agents that manufactures use to give plant-based milks a similar texture to dairy milks.

Evaporated Cane Juice, Cane Sugar, Or Cane Syrup

As a general rule of thumb, an ingredient list that has any term with the word “cane” in it is not the healthiest food item. Cane is code for sugar, and it does not refer to freshly juiced sugar cane. Cane sugar is devoid of nutrients and is 99% sucrose, which is pure sugar. This is harmful to blood sugar and overall health. Please avoid any plant-based milk that contains evaporated cane juice, cane sugar, of cane syrup on the ingredient list. It’s better to purchase a healthy, unsweetened variety and add your own healthy sweetener. Raw agave nectar, stevia, grade A maple syrup, or raw coconut nectar are healthier sweeteners. 

Natural Flavors

Unfortunately, there is nothing natural about natural flavors. It’s common to see “natural flavors” on many ingredients lists, but what are they? Natural flavors can indicate artificial sweeteners or forms of monosodium glutamate (MSG). If you want to know exactly what’s in your plant-based milk, avoid any variety that has “natural flavors” on the ingredient list. 

Vitamin D2

Natural vitamin D that the human body produces after sun exposure is vitamin D3. In their whole forms, vitamins are very beneficial for the body, even necessary for optimal health. They are some of the primary factors for maximum nutrient absorption. The same cannot be said for synthetic vitamins like vitamin D2. This synthetic vitamin is an isolated form of natural vitamin D, and the body cannot properly absorb it. There are no real benefits to the body; in fact, it may even do more harm than good. Many health experts believe that vitamin D2 desensitizes D3 receptors, which can increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Carrageenan

Several studies confirmed carrageenan’s link to diabetes, chronic inflammation, and certain cancers. It comes from red seaweed and manufacturers add it to many processed foods and beverages as a thickening agent. Researchers found that carrageenan is very harmful to the digestive tract. In fact, the common use for it is to induce colitis in lab animals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), carrageenan is a potential human carcinogen. 

Just because you purchase plant-based dairy alternatives, don’t think that you are automatically healthier. Be on the lookout for the ingredients in this article and avoid them at all costs. 

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Before people knew about sea salt, Himalayan salt, black salt, and Celtic sea salt, salt was just salt. It remained unchanged for centuries, but there are numerous salts in the spice aisle of the grocery store nowadays. The primary salt battle exists between sea salt and regular table salt. To the untrained palate, there is no difference between them, but one is much healthier than the other.

Sea salt comes from evaporating seawater (the ocean), whereas manufacturers mine table salt from salt deposits and process it into fine crystals. Table salt is fortified with iodine, which happened as a result of iodine deficiencies in the United States in in the early 1900s. Manufacturers use chemical additives in table salt to prevent clumping, whereas sea salt comes from direct evaporation of seawater. It is not processed and therefore retains trace minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, and other nutrients.

What Is Table Salt?

Table salt is called table salt for a reason: it is on every table in restaurants or homes. It is found in high quantities in almost every processed food item or fast food meal. This is one of the primary reasons that Americans consume more sodium than they should, which has led to increased rates of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and water retention.

Table salt is heavily refined and heated, so all of the inherent nutrients are gone before you season your food with it. Finally, some manufacturers add fluoride, bleaching compounds, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) to table salt. The final product is filled with harmful ingredients, which is why nutritionists look down on it, but natural sea salt is a different story.

What Is Sea Salt?

Table salt is highly processed and refined, whereas natural salt like sea salt is not heated or manipulated. Because the chemical structure is unaltered, it retains the naturally occurring minerals. In fact, sea salt can contain as many as 60 different trace minerals, some of which include zinc, boron, iron, magnesium, silicon, calcium, and copper.

Some sea salt varieties have larger crystals, but this depends on where they are sourced. The source of sea salt can also increase the mineral content. For example, sel gri (gray sea salt) comes from salt beds that contain clay, and it has over 100 different minerals. Finally, it is lower in sodium than most other salts, including sea salt.

Don’t Pass The Salt…Switch To Natural Sea Salt

You don’t need to view salt in a negative light. Natural salts like sea salt or Himalayan pink salt have alkalizing properties and minerals that the body needs to function optimally. Avoid the chemically processed and altered table salt because there are no benefits. But this doesn’t mean you should season the heck out of your food with sea salt. When consumed in excess, sea salt can be detrimental to your health. Use sea salt in moderation and it will benefit your overall health. When you over-salt your food, you increase your risk of cardiovascular health complications.

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It’s common practice to reach for taco seasoning mixes or barbecue rubs without even glancing at the ingredient list. The need to do so seems irrelevant because you are so focused on using whatever spice mix you purchase. Not only are store bought spice blends or mixes expensive, but many of them also contain anti-caking agents, monosodium glutamate (MSG), or chemical additives.

Making homemade spice mixes is a delicious step towards a healthier life, because you know exactly what each blend contains. For example, it would stand to reason that garlic salt contains two ingredients: garlic and salt. Oh contraire, friends. Lawry’s Garlic Salt, for instance, contains salt, garlic, modified corn starch, sugar, parsley, natural flavors, and extractives of carrot. Spice mixes like these may be causing food-related reactions because you are sensitive to certain ingredients. Common ingredients in store bought seasonings can include:

• Maltodextrin: can lead to digestive problems
• Natural Flavors: can be almost anything, even MSG without calling it that
• Silicon Dioxide: a free-flowing agent that has been linked to blood issues
• MSG: linked to brain cell death
• Modified Food Starch: commonly sourced from wheat (a concern for gluten intolerant people), or corn (replete with GMOs)

You Can Make Your Own

Most spice mixes are incredibly easy to make, and it is often more affordable to make them yourself than to buy the pre-made mixes that contain various chemicals. Whether you have food sensitivities or you just want to consume natural products, homemade spice mixes can assist you on your quest to healthier living. All you need are the spices and glass jars to store the mixes in; you may also want to label them to know what you’re consuming. Try out the following spice blends and let us know how you like them.

Homemade Italian Seasoning

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. dried rosemary
• 3 Tbsp. dried oregano
• 5 Tbsp. dried parsley
• 2 Tbsp. dried thyme
• 2 Tbsp. dried sage
• 3 Tbsp. dried basil
• 2 Tbsp. onion powder
• 2 Tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 Tbps. paprika
• 2 tsp. fennel seed
• 2 tsp. black pepper
• 1 Tbsp. sea salt

Instructions:

• Place all of the ingredients in a glass jar and shake well. Cover and store in a cool dry place.
• Use in eggplant Parmesan, zucchini lasagna, pasta sauces, or salad dressings.

Taco Seasoning

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp. cumin
• 3 Tbsp. chili powder
• 3 Tbsp. paprika
• 2 Tbsp. onion powder
• 2 Tbsp. dried oregano
• 1 Tbsp. sea salt
• 1 Tbsp. black pepper
• 2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions:

• Place all of the ingredients in a jar and shake well to combine. It will keep fresh in a jar for up to six months.
• Sprinkle this spice mix in your nut meat for raw vegan tacos, or season chickpeas with it to roast them for a taco-flavored snack.

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup cinnamon powder
• 3 Tbsp. ginger powder
• 3 Tbsp. cloves
• 5 Tbsp. allspice
• 2 Tbsp. ground nutmeg

Instructions:

• Add all the spices to a glass jar and use a spoon to mix them up. Cover with a lid and label them so you know what spice it is.
• Store the spice mix in a cool dry place and use it for your favorite pumpkin spice creations.

Curry Powder

Ingredients:

• 3 tsp. turmeric
• 2 tsp. ground coriander
• 5 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. cinnamon powder
• 1 tsp. ginger powder
• ¾ tsp. ground mustard seed
• ½ tsp. fenugreek
• ½ tsp. cloves
• ½ tsp. nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
• ½ tsp. cardamom

Instructions:

• Place all the ingredients in a glass jar and shake well to combine. Store in a cool dry place.
• You can use curry powder to make curry (obviously), but it adds depth of flavor to chili, sauces, and roasted vegetables.

Healthy Ranch Seasoning

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup dried parsley
• 1 Tbsp. dried dill
• 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp. onion powder
• ½ tsp. dried basil
• ½ tsp. black pepper

Instructions:

• Add all the ingredients to a glass jar and shake well to combine.
• You can make a healthier ranch dressing by mixing this seasoning with some water, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and raw cashews. How cool is that?

Seasoning Salt

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. sea salt
• ½ tsp. paprika
• ¼ tsp. turmeric
• ¼ tsp. onion powder
• ¼ tsp. garlic powder
• ¼ tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. dried parsley

Instructions:

• Add all the ingredients to a glass jar and shake well to combine. Use as you please.

Chili Seasoning

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. paprika
• 2 tsp. dried oregano
• 5 tsp. cumin
• 5 tsp. garlic powder
• ¾ tsp. onion powder
• ½ tsp. cayenne pepper

Instructions:

• Add all the ingredients to a glass jar and shake well to combine. For maximum shelf life, store in an airtight jar in the fridge.
• Paprika is a pepper and will maintain its potency in the fridge.

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There are certain foods that can either increase or decrease inflammation in the body. People with joint pain are often looking to do the latter, but they seldom realize that they are eating foods that worsen symptoms of arthritis, general joint pain, gout, or osteoporosis. Rather than contributing to the problem, you can help yourself by avoiding foods that induce joint pain.

Anti-inflammatory foods are abundant in the plant-based world. Ginger, turmeric, garlic, green leafy vegetables, blueberries, chia seeds, and fermented vegetables are all beneficial for preventing joint pain. These are great to add to your diet, but they don’t do you any good if you are eating the foods that trigger inflammation. You should avoid the following foods if you have joint pain.

Refined Carbohydrates

Things like potatoes, bread, anything with white flour, crackers, most cereals, or white rice are all refined carbohydrates, most of which are heavily processed. Consuming these foods has been linked to increased AGE production, which increases a person’s risk of chronic age-related conditions such as arthritis. Additionally, refined carbs have a high glycemic index, which can increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. For help on getting more carbs from plant-based foods, click here.

Dairy Products

Americans love dairy products and some people think that drinking milk is actually healthy. The reality is that dairy products contain casein, which is a protein that can irritate joint tissue. Full-fat dairy products like milk, butter, and cheese contain saturated fats that contribute to fat-tissue inflammation, ultimately increasing joint pain. Try opting for non-dairy products and you may even consider switching to a vegan diet.

Certain Oils

Omega-6 fatty acids are healthy when consumed in moderation, but excessive omega-6 consumption can induce inflammatory responses in the body. Oils that are high in omega-6 fatty acids include canola, sunflower, safflower, and soybean. It is better to consume extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed oil, or virgin coconut oil, all of which have omega-3 fatty acids and are natural anti-inflammatory.

Sugar

Many people can’t lay off the sweets. Cakes, cookies, donuts, chocolate bars, or candy is ever-present and some find it hard to resist the temptation. Most of these items contain processed sugars, which trigger cytokines (inflammatory messengers). Excess sugar in the body puts added pressure on your joints and can contribute to weight gain. Additionally, consuming sugary soft drinks or beverages with artificial sweeteners can increase your risk of arthritis. Try to opt for natural sweeteners like stevia, raw agave, or blackstrap molasses.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

This is a food additive that is used to enhance the flavor of certain foods. It is commonly found in Asian foods, but it is also found in processed foods, salad dressings, deli meats, soup mixes, and fast food meals. MSG notoriously causes inflammation and general joint pain, and is especially harmful to those who already have gout or rheumatoid arthritis. Try to purchase fresh foods, which you prepare at home, and avoid buying frozen or processed foods, which often contain artificial flavors.

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Many people have the desire to eat healthily, but it can be difficult to determine which foods are necessary for the optimal health of you or your family. You don’t want to deprive yourself of certain treats that you enjoy, but you understand that solely eating unhealthy foods will result in illness or disease. With all of the conflicting information on the web about the health benefits of certain foods, how do you know which foods to add to your diet?

What if you didn’t have to do research about the foods you should eat? There are many trustworthy foods, meaning there are foods that are, quite simply, life-changing. Now, adding the foods in this article to your unhealthy diet will not fix your situation. It takes more than a few fruits and vegetables to improve your health; rather, it takes thinking about food differently and embracing fresh foods for a healthy life, not bad foods with a shelf life.

As you move forward in a healthier direction, take time to learn about the healing properties of different foods. Additionally, take the time to notice negative reactions, like bloating, gas, acid reflux, water retention, or skin irritations, after eating other foods. These are common signs of food sensitivities that you may not be aware of. When you eliminate the foods that are making you sick and focus on regularly consuming healing foods, the body will no longer be confused by food. This allows for full mind and body connection, a powerful step towards health.

Celery

Celery is one of the trendiest foods to eat or juice right now. The anti-inflammatory properties work to starve unproductive mold, fungus, bacteria, or viruses that are present in the body and eliminate toxins residing in the digestive tract or liver. Regularly consuming celery is one of the best ways to alkalize the gut. This can be attributed to the trace mineral salts, which work symbiotically with each other to raise the body’s pH and flush out toxic acids. Celery is not the bland vegetable you thought it was; rather, it helps to support neuron function and hydrate the body on a cellular level. If you have any of the following symptoms, try bringing celery into your life:

• Sluggish liver
• High cortisol levels
• Abdominal distension
• Dry eyes
• White film on the tongue
• Acid reflux
• Inflamed gallbladder
• Rashes

Raw Honey

If you are going to consume honey, the best honey you can consume is organic raw honey. Don’t think that honey is just sugar because it is far from high fructose corn syrup or table sugar. In its raw form, honey contains a wide range of undiscovered phytochemical compounds and agents that have anti-cancerous properties. The B12 coenzymes and absorbable sugar make raw honey one of the best brain-boosting foods. Additionally, raw honey supports healthy immune function because of its adaptogenic nature. In fact, it should be a go-to remedy if you are experiencing stomach problems or cold and flu symptoms. Raw honey is true medicine and it is worth adding to your diet if you are experiencing:

• Sore throat
• Inflammation
• Canker sores
• Bacterial infections in the gut
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Respiratory infections
• Bronchitis
• Eye infections

Apples

In case you didn’t know, apples are the ultimate colon-cleansing food. The pectin in apples moves through the gut, simultaneously collecting and removing bacteria, yeast, and viruses. The pectin also helps to eliminate impacted debris and protein, which hides in intestinal pockets and feeds on harmful bacteria like E. coli. Apples contain phytochemicals that help increase electrical activity and feed neurons. The pigments, especially deep reds, in the skins of apples contain compounds that help improve digestive strength, which is an essential step towards healthy weight loss. Finally, one of our favorite aspects of apples is that they contain glutamine and serine, both of which are amino acids that can detoxify the brain of monosodium glutamate (MSG). If you are experiencing the following symptoms, add one to three organic apples a day to your life:

• Hypoglycemia (and other blood sugar imbalances)
• Anxiousness
• Weight gain
• Back pain
• Acid reflux
• Equilibrium issues
• Fatigue
• Gas, bloating, or constipation
• Dandruff

Ginger

In the hectic, fast-paced world we live in, we need foods that can slow the pace and keep our thoughts and emotions from spiraling out of control. When the body remains in a heightened, reactive state all the time, stress related illnesses like adrenal fatigue, sleep apnea, insomnia, digestive issues, and spastic bladder are more likely to develop. The antispasmodic properties of ginger help to relax tense areas in the body for up to 12 hours. Ginger helps the body let go of tension, no matter if it is in the muscles or organs. One way ginger does this is by eliminating excess lactic acid from muscle tissue. While lactic acid builds up after exercise, it can also build up because of increased stress hormone production. Ginger also enhances the body’s B12 production and aids with DNA reconstruction. If you experience the following symptoms, try adding ginger to your life:

• Gastritis
• Muscle cramps
• Stomach pain
• Congestion
• Cough
• Food allergies
• Mineral deficiencies
• High cholesterol
• Fatigue

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It takes determination and work to maintain healthy eating habits. Sure, eating healthy is the ultimate goal, but things like sugar, chips, fast food, soda, caffeine, alcohol, and so many other foods can get in the way. All of those foods and many more packaged and processed foods are abundant in most grocery stores, and regularly consuming those foods may be more harmful to your health than you realize.

To avoid health complications down the line, it is recommended to refrain from eating anything that is unnatural and concentrated. The link between allergies/sensitivities and food additives/chemicals is strong, considering the average American household allots about 90% of their grocery budget for processed foods. Avoiding possible health complications can be as easy as consuming whole foods in their natural state. The bioavailability and nutritional profile in whole foods is more beneficial than any processed food that contains a small percentage of vitamin C, for example.

The 80/20 rule should be applied to clean eating. People will naturally indulge, and that’s acceptable, on occasion, but these indulgences should only comprise 20% of the diet. Let’s say that you eat a fruit and vegetable smoothie for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and quinoa and sweet potatoes with sautéed vegetables for dinner. That’s a perfectly balanced day, but then you decide to have a glass of red wine and a couple pieces of dark chocolate or some pita bread and chicken. That’s an acceptable 80/20 day. It doesn’t have to be an even 80/20 split all the time because some days you may get 87% of your calories from healthy foods and 13% from not-so-healthy foods. To help you make more educated food choices, here are ingredients to avoid at all times.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

Known as HFCS, high fructose corn syrup is probably the number one source of calories consumed in the American diet. It is prevalent in a plethora of processed foods and it has been linked to weight gain, diabetes, high cholesterol, and tissue damage. It is important to be cautious when purchasing food because the food industry has noticed a decline in food purchasing with products containing HFCS. It has been renamed, so look out for fructose, fructose syrup, or fructose corn syrup on the ingredient lists.

Found In: Candy, flavored yogurt, salad dressings, most processed foods, cereals, canned vegetables, nutritional bars, and breads.

Artificial Colors

When you look at labels, common artificial food colorings include Red #40, Blue #1, Yellow #5, Red #2, caramel coloring, bixin, or Citrus red #1. There are many more, but these common food dyes can lead to eczema, asthma or behavior problems in children, reduce one’s IQ, and interrupt the brain-nerve transmission.

Found In: Fruit juices, salad dressings, sodas, processed cheese, candy, and macaroni and cheese.

Sodium Nitrites & Nitrates

These common food additives are used by food manufacturers to preserve, flavor, and add color to processed lunch meats, hotdogs, smoked fish, and bacon. Sodium nitrites and nitrates are highly carcinogenic upon entering the human body. They can wreak havoc on the bloodstream and damage internal organs.

Found In: Hotdogs, bacon, processed meat, corned beef, smoked fish, and luncheon meat.

Trans Fats

These are the fats that you never want to consume. You can identify trans fats in foods if you see hydrogenated oils in the ingredients. Trans fats are used to extend the shelf life of processed foods and are dangerous because of their cholesterol-raising nature. People who consume a lot of foods containing trans fats have a higher risk of developing strokes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and heart attacks.

Found In: Chips, baked goods, fast foods, margarine, and crackers.

Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfur additives are toxic and consuming them can lead to a variety of respiratory issues, hypotension (low blood pressure), and even anaphylactic shock. Sulfur dioxide kills vitamins B1 and E, and children are not recommended to consume it.

Found In: Dried fruit, juices, beer, vinegar, potato products, wine, and soft drinks.

BHA, BHT & TBHQ

These three preservatives are used to keep foods from changing color, becoming rancid, or changing flavor. BHA, BHT, and TBHQ are oxidants that can negatively affect the neurological system and may form cancer-causing compounds in the body.

Found In: Jello, shortening, candy, frozen sausages, gum, potato chips, cereal, microwave popcorn, margarine, cooking spray, fast foods including processed hamburgers, chicken nuggets, and fries.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

This amino acid is commonly used in Asian cuisine as a flavoring agent. MSG is an excitotoxin, which is a substance that overexcites cells to the point of serious damage or death. Regular consumption of MSG can lead to depression, eye damage, fatigue, obesity, and frequent headaches.

Found In: Frozen dinners, luncheon meats, cookies, seasonings, certain Asian restaurants, some canned soups, and many snacks.

Artificial Sweeteners

Regular sugar, though still not great for the body, is actually safer to consume than artificial sweeteners. These are commonly found in “diet” or “sugar free” foods. Aspartame, which is a known carcinogen and neurotoxin, is the most common artificial sweetener that can have adverse effects on the brain. Regular consumption of artificial sweeteners can lead to fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, emotional disorders, migraines, multiple sclerosis, or Alzheimer’s disease. Other artificial sweeteners you should stay away from or limit are sucralose, acesulfame K (ACE K), saccharin, and sugar alcohols.

Found In: Sugar free gum, sugar free sodas, pudding, breath mints, chewable vitamins, toothpaste, no-calorie waters and drinks, salad dressings, and drink mixes.

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The body does not stay young forever. Certain movements may become more difficult, joints can become inflamed, and you feel more tired as you age. All three of those examples can be attributed to the Standard American Diet. In addition to daily wear on the body, Americans consume foods that contribute to inflammation and joint pain.

Some of the most common inflammatory diseases include arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, cancer, heart disease, and bursitis. Inflammation itself is a natural bodily response to foreign invaders or things like bacteria and viruses. Chronic inflammation, however, is a different story. This is an immune response that goes to fight off “invaders” that aren’t actually there. This can lead to an attack on the body’s own tissues. Most inflammatory conditions, like arthritis, can result in:

• Joint swelling
• Stiffness in joints
• Redness in the affected area
• Soreness
• Loss of joint function (in worse cases)

Food isn’t the only thing that causes inflammation. Things like stress, dehydration, smoking, lack of sleep, or unhealthy gut bacteria can also cause inflammation in the body. Start eating an anti-inflammatory diet to help remedy this inflammation. This means that you need to get rid of inflammatory foods like the ones listed below.

Sugar

For most people, sugar is a hard one to eliminate. Sugar feeds bacteria, cancer cells, and it can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay. Since sugar is actually acidic, this increases inflammation in the body and ruins your pH balance. Eliminate sodas, fruity drinks, alcohol, pastries, candies, or other processed foods. You can use sugar substitutes like stevia, agave, grade B maple syrup, or blackstrap molasses.

Artificial Sweeteners

In the same vein as sugar, avoid artificial sweeteners because these trigger an inflammatory response in the body. A big culprit of inflammation is high fructose corn syrup. It can cause the liver to become inflamed. Avoid sweets and processed foods and steer clear of these names: dextrose, fructose, golden syrup, maltose, sucrose, or sorghum syrup. Use all natural ingredients like dates, stevia, or agave.

Dairy Products

Most people love dairy products, and these people don’t recognize the repercussions. Not a lot of people think that dairy products could harm them. Well, they do and hormones, pesticides, and antibiotics that are fed to cattle make their way into your milk, yogurt, or ice cream. You should avoid milk, butter, cheese, cream sauces, protein powders that are not plant based, cookies, and cakes. This can be tough, but there are lots of non-dairy options to consume. Try substituting dairy with coconut milk, almond milk, coconut oil, and cashew cheese to decrease inflammation.

Alcohol

If you regularly consume alcohol, then you could slowly be inflaming your esophagus, larynx, and liver. As alcohol consumption continues, the chronic inflammation can increase your risk of cancer and tumor growth. What drinks do you substitute for the alcoholic beverages you leave behind? Try a couple detox waters, different teas, fresh pressed juice, or lemon water.

Meat & Processed Meats

If you read the above description on dairy products, then you can assume that eating meat can also cause inflammation in the body. The diets that are fed to animals, which primarily consist of soybeans and corn, are full of inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. Plus, processed meat is usually preserved, cured, and salted. Most of these meats or meat products contain coloring agents or toxic carcinogens that can cause bowel cancer, constipation, or other gut troubles. The best option would be to avoid meat altogether. If you must consume meat, try to eat free-range, organic meats that are grass fed.

MSG

MSG (monosodium glutamate) is a common preservative/additive that is commonly used for flavoring in processed foods. Used as a neurotransmitter in the body, MSG is a synthetic substance that damages nuclei or causes neuron loss in an unborn child’s brain. MSG can also induce allergy symptoms, headaches, stomachaches, insomnia, or sweating in adults. MSG is commonly found in Asian restaurant because it is a flavoring agent. Instead of using MSG, add more seasonings like pepper, sea salt, paprika, ginger, or cayenne. Also, cook your own Asian food at home so you don’t have to worry about it.

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We eat food for fuel, but do we ever stop to think about the effects certain foods have on our health? There isn’t a “one size fits all diet” because some foods can worsen conditions, cause allergies, or increase pain in the body. When it comes to those with arthritis, there are foods that should be avoided to keep joints and bones healthy.

The body of someone with arthritis is in an inflammatory state. Many foods can cause inflammation and worsen symptoms of arthritis. That’s why it is important to pay attention to the foods that you put in your body. Here are 6 foods that you need to avoid if you have arthritis.

#1: Fried Foods

Fried foods can generally worsen the overall health of the body. The batter, oil, preparation methods, and even the food itself can trigger inflammation. If you do eat fast foods often, eliminate them from your diet to see if your arthritis pain lessens. When it comes to fast food, though, we do not give it a stamp of approval.

#2: Sugar or Added Sugars

There is always controversy when it comes to sugar. Let’s make this clear: natural sugars, which occur in fresh fruit or raw nut butters, are ok to consume. The refined or processed sugars (even artificial sweeteners) can trigger inflammatory responses. Since sugar has many names, look for words ending in “ose” on labels.

#3: Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential nutrients that the body needs for growth and development, but there needs to be a healthy balance. If you eat too many omega-6 fatty acids, this can trigger an inflammatory response in the body. Stay away from vegetable oil, store bought salad dressings, mayonnaise, fast food, pork products, or dairy and eggs.

#4: Monosodium Glutamate

This food additive should be avoided at all costs. It is commonly found in prepared Asian food, fast food, or prepared soups and can open chronic inflammation pathways, as well as affect liver health.

#5: Alcohol

Alcohol takes a toll on the liver, and can even lead to cirrhosis if consumed excessively. When the liver isn’t functioning properly, it can have an effect on other organs and even cause inflammation. Plus, a lot of alcoholic drinks can have added sugars, which should be avoided.

#6: Acidic Foods

A lot of acidic foods can contribute to chronic inflammation by upsetting the body’s pH level. Some of these foods include barley, rice, many meats, pastas, and dairy products. It is best to go for alkaline foods like green leafy vegetables, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, squash, cinnamon, chili powder, or citrus fruit. Alkaline foods are good for you because they restore the body’s pH level and help detox your system.

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