Health Affixed

Health Is Limitless

Food & Inflammation

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Inflammation is the body’s repair mechanism for damaged tissue, the body’s response to an injury, and the body’s defense strategy against viruses and bacteria. An inflammatory response is triggered by the immune system. A defect in the body’s triggering system may result in the development of an autoimmune disease. In autoimmune diseases, the body mistakenly believes that normal tissues are infected and triggers an inflammatory response to fight the normal tissues; the inflammatory response damages the normal tissues.

According to Eat This, Not That!, certain foods can trigger an inflammatory response in the body which over time can lead to weight gain, drowsiness, skin problems, digestive issues, diabetes, obesity, and even cancer. These foods include sugar, vegetable oil, fried foods, refined flour, dairy, artificial sweeteners, artificial additives (processed foods), saturated fats, conventional grain-fed meats (low quality meats), processed meats (including bacon), store-bought bread (gluten), excess alcohol, trans fat foods, and fast food.

While eliminating all of these foods may be unrealistic, limiting them is definitely achievable and may go a long way in preserving your immune system. In addition, there are some anti-inflammatory foods that you may use to balance your day before or after consuming inflammatory foods. According to Dr. Axe, anti-inflammatory foods include: green leafy vegetables, bok choy, celery, beets, broccoli, blueberries, pineapples, salmon, bone broth, walnuts, coconut oil, chia seeds, flax seeds, turmeric, and ginger.

Tip: if you eat a lot of fried foods, you may want to buy some ginger tea to keep on hand.

Never Again: Organic Blueberries

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This is one organic item that I can no longer enjoy; blame it on the trauma from seeing maggots in my blueberries, not the alcohol.

Apparently, when you purchase organic blueberries, you run the risk of getting a batch infected with maggots. These maggots, by all accounts, are harmless if accidentally consumed. However, just seeing them in your blueberry can be a traumatic experience.

When it comes to blueberries, a little bit of pesticide may actually go a long way. The female blueberry fruit fly lays her egg under the skin of the blueberry. The eggs hatch in the blueberry and the maggot/larva emerges. The maggot feeds on the pulp inside of the blueberry. The infested berries are packaged and sold to organic vendors. The vendors sell to consumers and the consumer, well, consumes the infested berries.

If you have never had an issue with blueberry maggots, then there is no need to give up your organic berries; instead, be aware that maggots in organic blueberries is a real possibility and stay alert while consuming your organic blueberries.

Food Quality: A Recall

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Another day, another food recalled; no food is safe. Over the years, there have been recalls on all types of foods – vegetables, fruits, poultry, beef, pork, and various frozen foods.

A food recall is initiated by a manufacturer or requested by a government agency when there is reason to believe that consumption may make people sick.

You can stay abreast of the most recent food recalls by visiting Foodsaftety.gov.

When it comes to food, the best defense is a great offense. While you may not be able to eliminate the risk of a food recall, you can do everything in your power to avoid a food borne illness:

1. Shop better to eat better – be selective of the grocery stores that you frequent.
2. Stick to reputable brands and higher quality foods.
3. Cook more and buy pre-cooked meals less.
4. Wash everything with hot water.
5. Cook meats thoroughly.

Food Quality: Chicken

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When you become familiar with a high quality food, you start to notice the difference in taste or texture while eating the same food of a lower quality. That has been my experience with chicken.

If you usually buy the cheapest chicken because it is on sale or you buy chicken in bulk, consider upgrading the quality of your chicken. You will see and taste the difference.

Cooked poor quality chicken tends to exhibit discoloration on the skin; tends to have a rubbery or tough texture; and/or tends to have a dry instead of moist taste. Also, cooked poor quality chicken may be difficult to remove from the bone while cooked high quality chicken tends to fall off the bone.

Bottom line: upgrade your chicken because your health is worth it.

Weakness: Chocolate

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This weakness is a common one. However, the great thing about chocolate is that a small piece can go a long way. Most times a chocolate craving is satisfied by the first or second bite. We tend to eat the rest because it’s really good and we are generally taught to finish what we started.

If you love chocolate but lack the self-control to stop eating after the first or second bite, then consider purchasing containers with individually wrapped pieces instead of a large chocolate bar. Even if you eat five small pieces, usually the caloric damage will still not be as bad as eating a whole chocolate bar.

This weakness is a common one. However, the great thing about chocolate is that a small piece can go a long way. Most times a chocolate craving is satisfied by the first or second bite. We tend to eat the rest because it’s really good and we are generally taught to finish what we started.

If you love chocolate but lack the self-control to stop eating after the first or second bite, then consider purchasing containers with individually wrapped pieces instead of a large chocolate bar. Even if you eat five small pieces, usually the caloric damage will still not be as bad as eating a whole chocolate bar.