Here are some anti-inflammatory substitutions that you can make at the grocery store, assuming you do your own cooking. Why start doing more cooking at home? Simple, it’s cheaper, a great family activity gives you a rewarding sense of accomplishment and you will know exactly what you are putting in your body and your family. First is Gluten, a protein that is found in virtually all processed foods that contain flour. There are some really delicious substitutions that can be made to replace that nasty all-purpose white flour, namely almond flour, coconut flour, paleo flour, and gluten-free all-purpose flour. Most of these are a simple 1/1 ratio but some may require a little modification, so a quick Google search can do a body good.
Sugar. I don’t care what kind of sugar you’re using, raw sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar, it’s all pro-inflammatory and increases the risks of all of the disease processes highlighted in Dr. Cenk’s blog, “Inflammation, a Literal Death Sentence.” Instead, swap out these nasty products for something far better and just as tasty, such as coconut sugar, Munk fruit, honey, or maple syrup…yes, maple syrup and honey are far better than cane sugar, the end all be all of the inflammation-causing food products.
Ditch the canola, soybean, and safflower oils because they are refined at such high heat that they convert into Omega-6s which are known inflammatories. Instead use cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil and, you guessed it, coconut oil.
The biggest point of resistance that I hear is that these alternatives are more expensive. True, no doubt, eating healthy is cheap in the long run compared to medical expenses. Cancer treatments are expensive, and heart disease and diabetes are costly. Mcdonald’s is dirt cheap. Seeing your grandchildren grow up is priceless.