Have you ever heard the phrase “you can't out exercise a bad diet?”
It's so true, you usually don't see bodybuilders or models eating McDonalds…
And that is because there is no amount of exercise that will offset eating bad foods.
Similarly, there is no amount of supplementation or detoxification that can offset a bad diet.
Common Detox Mistake: Not Changing Your Diet
Food is either the best medicine you can put in your body or the slowest form of poison.
Let that sink in for a second…
Everything you put into your body is either helping you become healthier or it's not!
When we detox our bodies, our food choices are extremely important! Through the detox process we want to lower the levels of inflammation in our body.
So what is inflammation and why is it so bad?
Inflammation is a normal response to an injury or a pathogen in the body. For example, when you have a cut - the normal inflammatory response is swelling and redness which is intended to trap and kill bacteria as well as signal to the body to send the “repairman” to come and start to clean up and heal the cut.
When we get into a state of chronic inflammation (from foods, stress, toxins, etc.), our body continues sending out inflammatory cells and signals even though there is no true injury to the body. Chronic Inflammation can damage healthy cells, tissues & organs, and may cause internal scarring, tissue death, and damage to the DNA in previously healthy cells.
Chronic inflammation is a potential cause (and effect) in many diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune conditions, and IBS…
A HUGE factor for chronic inflammation comes down to diet - the foods we put in our body either add inflammation or help combat it.
So what foods cause inflammation?
Fast Food
Processed Foods (chips, frozen meals, sausages, deli meat)
Sugar
Soda (Diet & Regular)
Vegetable & Seed Oils (canola oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, Crisco, vegetable oil)
Artificial Flavors & Dyes
Refined Carbs (bread, pasta, etc)
Food Preservatives (MSG, artificial flavors, natural flavors…)
When we are detoxing, our goal is usually to clear the body from toxins, infections, or metals stored in our tissues. If we are in a state of chronic inflammation, our body will not be able to detox efficiently.
By continuing to put inflammatory foods in your body while detoxing, you are slowing down your own progress.
So what foods are anti-inflammatory?
Wild Caught Fish
Oils - olive oil, coconut oil, avocado Oil
Leafy Greens
Berries
Ginger
Garlic
Turmeric
Avocados
Broccoli
…and really most fruit and vegetables!
Eating an anti-inflammatory diet doesn't have to be a boring salad every day! During your detox (and incorporating it into your daily routine) you can eat beautiful meals!
When I started my health journey many years ago, I made it a mission of mine to find healthy alternatives to all my favorite foods! Now some of our favorite go-to meals are chicken tenders, orange chicken, steak tacos, ravioli, chicken parmesan, and wet burritos. Everything we eat is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, sugar free, and free of fillers, dyes, and preservatives, yet tastes AMAZING!
Eating healthy does NOT have to mean your meals are boring or bland.
I encourage you to try 30 days on an anti-inflammatory diet and see how you feel! Usually, most people feel more energized, more clear, and overall just better by the end of the 30 days!
