Anti-Inflammatory Diets
I've really been so fortunate with my health just about all my life. I know a lot of this is genetics. But, I do think that the impact of growing up with a mom who cooked from scratch way back when, eating fresh fruits and vegetables and not having a lot of access to fast food probably contributed to a solid health foundation. At that time, we had no idea that we were being raised on these anti-inflammatory diets, like our roasted vegetables from our garden every Summer, that would become the rage decades later.
When I got older, left home, went to college, I still embraced those good eating habits, and anti-inflammatory diet eating. Well, most of the time. And, when I got married, eating nutritiously and economically was a mainstay of my kitchen. Raising three athletic boys who all ended up playing Division 1 basketball meant that I threw down a lot of food when they were in growing up and even when they came home on college breaks.
And, so I know that my health and body have been blessed because of this. And, also because of my quite active lifestyle with exercise. Yet, despite this I'm looking at my diet even more closely because I've been diagnosed with some shoulder issues related to arthritis. Yep, sounds like an old person's problem, but, hey, we all are going to have some aches and pains if we live long enough. Just how significant these aches and pains are is the key to living well beyond your 40s and well into your 90s!
Anti Inflammatory Food
Dr. Oz has a 'bible' of sorts, yes, a book entitlted, 'Food Can Fix It'. He strongly believes that anti inflammatory food and all foods have a direct impact on every part of your body, and he's got a lot of scientific research to back it up. Now, when I was growing up, my Mom, who wasn't a 'Dr. Oz' for sure, but quite dang smart and clever, always said to me, "Listen to your body. It will tell you what it needs." Yes, we were eating anti inflammatory food, like lots of vegetables. Mom looked at food not only from a nutritional angle but also from a medicinal angle. Much like in the Chinese culture where at a young age, children are taught the health virtues of food. Well, good food. Not junk food.
When my shoulder started really bothering me, and I put it off for nearly three years, I had an MRI. And, at this point I began an odyssey to try every method and technique that I could that was 'non-invasive' (please no surgery if possible) and would help with inflammation and the throb, aches and pain. From physical therapy, dry needling and taping to PT exercises, yoga, deep tissue massage, electrical stimulation, vitamins and even more focus on food, I'm seeing some small, albeit quite positive, improvements.
Nutritional Yeast
OK, I'll admit. I'm a nutritional yeast junkie. I use nutritional yeast in so many recipes and why not! For me, nutritional yeast is almost like salt and pepper. A staple in my cooking and in my pantry.
Basically, nutritional yeast is healthy. And, we all want to be healthier. Loaded with protein, be vitamins and trace minerals, it also ramps up the flavor of your food. In just one teaspoon of nutritional yeast you have 30 to 180% of the RDI for B vitamins. Check out what Dr. Oz, America's doctor, says about nutritional yeast.
Vegetables
Why vegetables in your diet? According to Dr. Weil: Vegetables are rich in flavonoids and carotenoids with both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Yes, vegetables are a great anti inflammatory food and can make up a large percentage of your anti-inflammatory diet. Vegetables are anti inflammatory foods that fight inflammation in your body.
Go for a wide range of colors, eat them both raw and cooked, and choose organic when possible. Harvard Health also has great information on anti-inflammatory eating. And, you surely respect the Arthritis Foundation which touts the importance of vegetables and fruits.
Here's the thing about any ailment or issue you have. YOU have to dig and find the best information. You have to be your own best advocate. Don't just aimlessly sit back and think a doctor or a pill is going to 'cure' your ailments. It's a partnership with your health and you are the Captain of this vessel. Oh, sure, I could probably take some kind of medication for my arthritic shoulder, but with that comes side effects and possibly another medication to offset those side effects. It's a slippery slope. If I can make changes in my world with food and lifestyle and get good medical care, then that's the route I prefer in tackling health issues.
For now, I'll be eating even more of the things I love like greens, chard, collards, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens. And, my plate will be even more rainbow colorful! Here's to taking charge of our health and being our strongest advocate! xoxo ~ally
Here's another great recipe for healthy eating, Buttermilk Cucumbers! No cooking!
And, how about this post on Healthy Eating Tips for Women! Yeah, you wanna read this! Let's be strong and take charge of our health!
