30/01/2014
Millions of people across the globe suffer from chronic pain. If you are one of those people, take comfort in knowing that relieving the pain may be easier than you might think. In many cases, the solution may be as simple as paying attention to what you are eating so you avoid inflammatory foods that often lead to pain.
1.Avoid inflammatory foods
Eating highly processed foods (such as pasta, bread and pav—especially those containing gluten) creates inflammation in the body. This inflammation then leads to the actual physical pain that you may feel in your knees and joints (the joints are particularly vulnerable to inflammation).
Foods with gluten, trans fats (found in snack foods like chips and pastries) and high sugar, all cause inflammation. For many people, dairy products are also inflammatory. Eating these types of foods over a long period of time means more and more inflammation within the body and ultimately more pain.
2.Eat more anti-inflammatory foods
Fishes like Salmon, Pomfret, Tuna and Rawas, walnuts, meats from grass-fed animals, organic eggs from pastured hens, fresh vegetables and fruits have been proven to reduce pain associated with inflammation. Think about how many of these foods you eat on a regular basis. Is your eating plan helping to alleviate your pain or contributing to it?
3.Take steps to reduce inflammation
There are some simple things you can do to combat the inflammation in your body. At Nutritional Weight & Wellness, we recommend looking at your food choices as a first step. Some people may find additional relief with the help of key supplements.
STEP 1: Eat anti-inflammatory foods
Try the following eating plan, or variations of it, for a week or two and notice how much better you feel.
Breakfast—Two organic eggs cooked in two teaspoons of desi ghee, half of a sweet potato and one cup of spinach.
Mid-morning snack—Half an apple with two tablespoons of peanut butter and two ounces of meat.
Lunch—4-6 ounces of grilled fish(any of the above), half-cup of brown rice(cooked) and at least one cup of steamed mixed vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach, palak, sprouts or cauliflower) with two teaspoons of desi ghee.
Afternoon snack—Two-ounce chicken leg, two small tangerines and 16 almonds.
Dinner—4-6 ounces of fish/chicken steak, half-cup of squash, and two cups of green beans sautéed in two teaspoons of coconut oil.
Eating a diet consisting of anti-inflammatory foods (healthy proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) provides the nutrients that are critical for keeping the pain at bay. These foods also help your body build the cartilage and ligaments that support healthy joints.
STEP 2: Try anti-inflammatory supplements
Often, food choices alone are not quite enough to kick joint and knee pain, especially if the body has been in an inflammatory state for an extended period of time. For extra healing, we recommend adding some supplements. Please call us/drop us a message to create a personalized diet for your body; see the difference for yourself. Visit www.stayfitwithdeepak.com for more details.
4.Small steps can make a big difference
Joint and knee pain are complex health problems and often require guidance from a nutritionist. However, there are some steps you can take now to alleviate your pain. Tomorrow, rather than having that bowl of cereal or white toast with jelly for breakfast, try having two eggs and half a sweet potato with ghee. Start with breakfast and slowly incorporate the other meal suggestions mentioned in this article. Remember, real food is an essential first step to healthy joints and knees that are pain-free.
For more information visit www.nasikhipkneecenter.com
