Avoid Inflammation During The Holidays

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury. Acute inflammation, the kind that occurs when you bump your head and get a bruise or sprain your ankle, is a beneficial bodily function that helps the body heal. Chronic inflammation on the other hand is long-term systemic inflammation that can lead to diseases like asthma, cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer.

Chronic inflammation can be caused by dietary choices, such as:

• Pasteurized Dairy
• Refined Carbohydrates
• Conventional Meat
• Sugar
• Trans Fat

It’s a safe bet that many, if not all of the appetizers at your holiday party contain at least one item from the list, which make the holidays a danger zone for inflammation. I have created a 3 Day Holiday Reset that includes a three day meal plan which is low inflammatory and this guide will help you avoid weight gain after the holidays. The recipes are so filling and delicious you’ll barely notice that you’re doing a reset. After the three days, you will feel more energized, less bloated and will have set the foundation of healthy eating for the days and weeks to come.

7 Ways To Avoid Inflammation This Holiday Season

Sip On Mocktails

Instead of filling up on cocktails, sip on sparkling water and lemon. It might sound ‘boring’, but imagine what your belly will look like after attending 10 holiday parties in one week. It’s all about making smart decisions.

Healthy Snacking

Snack on healthy proteins before heading to the holiday party. Most likely the party snacks will have loads of butter, carbs and sugar (think pigs in a blanket, mini cupcakes etc.), so it’s a good idea to snack on a protein-filled snack before walking in. Eat a handful of pistachios or sliced veggies with hummus before leaving work to prevent you from over-indulging once you are at the event.

Get Cozy

Rest is crucial to keeping inflammation away. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night and make sure to disconnect from social media when you get home from work. Even better, indulge in a hot bath with lavender oil and epsom salts.

Snuggle With Your Boo

It’s no secret that cuddling makes you feel good, it also releases oxytocin, a stress-relieving hormone. Studies have shown stress to be associated with autoimmune diseases linked to inflammation.

Pop A Probiotic

Probiotic supplements are effective at rebalancing the gut and digestive system. They can also relieve intestinal inflammation by reducing gas, bloating, and easing digestion. The probiotics I recommend are Metagenics Ultra Flora Spectrum and Seed.

Say No To Sugar

Refined sugar and artificial sweeteners are some of the leading causes of inflammation. Opt for more natural solutions such as manuka honey, Sukrin fiber syrup or liquid stevia drops.

Spice It Up

Add spices such as turmeric and cinnamon to your meals! Turmeric and cinnamon are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and they have the added benefit of making your meals delicious.

Here are two great anti-inflammatory recipes that are easy to make at home: steamed halibut or sweet nana smoothie.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, Dr. Axe, American Psychological Association