Autoimmune - Foods To Eat, Foods To Avoid

The last two weeks have been all about autoimmune disease. What the symptoms are, which diseases are classified as autoimmune, how to change your diet and lifestyle to control and even reverse the disease. This week, I would simply like to share suggestions of what foods are beneficial and what foods should be avoided at all costs, breaking it down into simple terms.

Toxic Foods

The following “foods” have no place in a healthy lifestyle, and should be avoided completely:

• Sugar

• Alcohol

• Caffeine

• GMOs

• Artificial sweeteners

• Additives, preservatives, and dyes

• High-fructose corn syrup

• Processed food, junk food, and fast food

• Trans or hydrogenated fats

  
  

Inflammatory Foods

• Gluten

• Dairy

• Gluten-free grains

• Legumes

• Corn

• Soy

• Eggs

• Nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplant)

• Citrus

• Yeast

Now that you’ve gotten rid of the toxic and inflammatory foods that contribute to autoimmunity, you can focus on eating nourishing, high-quality foods that will support your immune system and help reverse your symptoms.

Vegetables

A good general rule of thumb is to aim for half of your plate to be vegetables at any meal. Your goal should be to eat a rainbow of foods! 

• Broccoli 

• Cauliflower 

• Zucchini

• Asparagus 

• Beets 

• Sweet potatoes 

• Squash

• Carrots

• Leafy greens

Fruit

Fruits contain many essential nutrients including Vitamin C, potassium, and folate. Vitamin C, in particular, is necessary for the growth and repair of all your body’s tissues. Whole fruits are also an excellent source of fiber, which supports the friendly bacteria in your gut that are so crucial to immune functioning. Be sure to eat the skins of as many fruits as possible.

• Apples

• Oranges

• Plums

• Nectarines

• Peaches

• Mango

• Pineapple

• Melons

Berries are low in sugar and packed with antioxidants. A handful of each of these daily in a smoothie is an ideal way to get lots of antioxidants.

• Raspberries 

• Blackberries

• Blueberries 

• Strawberries

Healthy Fats

Healthy fats are a key component of a balanced diet. They help repair the cells of your gut wall and assist in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, K, and E. Not to mention, fats taste great and keep you feeling full and satisfied!

Avocados are one of my favorite sources of healthy fat.

Remember, you have the power to choose how you nourish your body and these choices can have an incredible impact on your health! If getting enough fruits and veggies into your daily routine is challenging, let me help you learn how to incorporate 30-45 different plants daily!

I do a 10-day detox every month to assist in keeping my body functioning properly. While I adhere to most of these guidelines on a daily basis, there are days that I eat some of the inflammatory foods. During the 10-day cleanse, I adhere strictly to this lineup. I’d love to help you change your eating habits. Ask me how I can help.