01/18/2026
1. Flavored Yogurt
Why it spikes inflammation: Added sugar, artificial flavors, stabilizers
Choose instead: Plain Greek yogurt with berries or soaked nuts
2. Refined Vegetable Oils (Soybean, Corn, Sunflower)
Why: High omega-6 content disrupts the omega-3 balance
Choose instead: Extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, ghee
3. White Bread & Bakery Items
Why: Rapid blood sugar spikes trigger inflammatory pathways
Choose instead: Sprouted grain bread, sourdough, whole grains
4. Processed “Healthy” Snacks (Protein Bars, Granola Bars)
Why: Hidden sugars, seed oils, emulsifiers
Buy this: Whole foods—nuts, seeds, boiled eggs, fruit
5. Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame, Sucralose)
Why: Alter gut microbiome and insulin response
Choose instead: Small amounts of raw honey, dates, or no sweetener
6. Processed Meats (Sausages, Salami, Hot Dogs)
Why: Nitrates, advanced glycation end products (AGEs)
Choose instead: Freshly cooked chicken, fish, or legumes
7. Conventional Dairy (for sensitive individuals)
Why: Casein A1 and lactose may trigger immune response
Buy this: A2 milk, goat milk, or fermented dairy (curd, kefir)
8. Fried Foods (Even “Air-Fried” with Seed Oils)
Why: Oxidized fats promote systemic inflammation
Choose instead: Pan-roasted or baked foods using stable fats
9. Excess Coffee on an Empty Stomach
Why: Raises cortisol and gut irritation in some people
Choose instead: Coffee after food or switch to green tea
10. Packaged Sauces & Dressings
Why: Sugar, preservatives, inflammatory oils
Buy this: Homemade dressings with olive oil, lemon, herbs