Inflammation is a natural process that helps your body heal and defend itself from harm. Your anti-inflammatory diet should provide a healthy balance of protein, carbs, and fat at each meal. Make sure you also meet your body’s needs for vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.
Once you have your healthy menu organized, some other good habits of an anti-inflammatory lifestyle includes:
Supplements - can help lower and reduce inflammation.
Regular exercise
Sleep – getting a good night sleep is extremely important.
Additionally, an inactive lifestyle that includes a lot of sitting is a major NON-dietary factor that can promote inflammation. You may be able to reduce and prevent inflammation by choosing certain foods and drinks while avoiding others.
Below are some suggestions for some fun seasonal foods.
Winter
In the cold winter months, think green. Many green leafy vegetables including kale, collard greens, and swiss chard. Root vegetables like beets is another great and hardy winter option. Sweet potatoes, turnips, brussels sprouts, lemons, oranges, pineapple & kiwi.
Spring
When the spring months arrive, look for asparagus, apricots, avocados, rhubarb, carrots, mushrooms, and celery, as well as fresh herbs.
Summer
Summer is prime time for many types of produce, and you’ll have lots of choices. Berries are a great anti-inflammatory option. Try different varieties of blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Also reach for cherries, eggplant, zucchini, watermelon, green beans, honeydew melon, okra, peaches, plums and gooseberries.
Fall
Nothing like fall says like a crisp, crunchy apple. But there are lots of other anti-inflammatory foods to add to your diet. Cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, winter squash, parsnips, peas, ginger and all types of lettuce.
Local Farmers Markets are opening for the season…… Several benefits come from eating local.
Seven benefits of eating local food
Eating local doesn’t just benefit your health and the farmers in your community. It also has a host of positive economic, social, and environmental effects.
1. Local food is very fresh.
2. Local food is often more nutritious.
3. Eating local is an opportunity to try new foods.
4. Purchasing local food benefits the environment.
5. Eating local supports your regional economy.
6. Eating local teaches you how your food is grown.
7. Eating local is easy.