Probably the biggest hindrance in adopting an anti-inflammatory diet is not knowing how to start. It can be so daunting at first, and without any direction or plan in place, many are destined, not for failure, but to not even make it to the starting gate!
I’ve provided a fairly detailed page with suggestions on Getting Started . But if any of you are like me, and have no attention span for long reads or details, here is the Coles Notes version.
- Pick the anti-inflammatory diet or protocol you intend to follow. Do your own research and pick the one that is best suited for you. If you want to skip the research and do Gundry’s diet, then click here and buy the book.
Picture taken from http://www.createtc.com/coaching-dont-know
2. Print off this list of all the YES and NO foods. This will be your bible for the next few months until it becomes ingrained to memory.
3. Stock up on staples. Click here for a suggested list of staples. You will find that this list will grow over time.
4. Research recipes. Keep a list of favorites or screen shots in your phone. Create an album in your phone called “Recipes” for easy reference. Yummly and Pinterest are great apps to start with. Google is your next best friend. Add “Plant Paradox” to any of your Google searches (e.g. “salmon plant paradox recipe” and you will find compliant recipes. OR! Just buy the Plant Paradox Cookbook to avoid any researching or substitution hassles.
In addition, some of my recent go-to websites include: www.everylastbite.com, www.paleorunningmomma.com www.dadaeats.com, www.whole30.com, www.wholekitchensink.com and www.cleaneatingmag.com. Keep in mind however that many of these websites include nightshades and legumes in some of their recipes so you just need to know how to substitute or avoid. Also, don’t forget to source organic grass fed meats, pasture raised chickens and wild caught fish (where they don’t specify).
I can always help you with these types of things (i.e. how to substitute or modify a recipe) so don’t hesitate to reach out via instagram at @karliskitch.
5. MEAL PLAN! Sometimes planning for the week is too much, especially when you don’t even know what you’re doing tomorrow. Plan for 2-3 days at a time. This is arguably the MOST important step. If you don’t meal plan, it is TOO damn easy to resort back to old eating habits when you’re hungry and don’t know what to make. Here is a suggested ‘beginner’ meal plan for the week.
Picture taken from https://www.plantbasedcooking.com/beginners-guide-easy-plant-based-vegan-meal-planning/
6. Just friggen DO IT! You gotta start somewhere. And don’t be worried to screw up or cheat! This isn’t like a weight-loss diet where you eat healthy all week and then you fall off the wagon on the weekend and put back any pounds you lost during the week. If you “screw up” and eat zucchini, for example, then just eat the damn zucchini and try to cut it out the next time. It’s all good! (All this being said, you will likely lose weight too if you follow this diet.)
Picture taken from https://medium.com/@pcreation17/stop-thinking-its-the-time-to-act-79e3f37a4951
And remember, I am here to help! Don’t hesitate to email me with any questions. And click here for more detailed information and tips on how to get started.