Last Updated on August 6, 2025 by Pen Pixel
Let me guess.
You feel like crap lately, but not in a “sick” way. More like… swollen. Not just your face or your tummy, but your mood, your mind, your energy.
- You’re waking up tired.
- You’re sleeping like a broken phone on 3% battery.
- Your skin is acting up.
- Your joints feel like they borrowed pain from your grandma.
- You feel foggy, heavy, off.
- And deep down, you know, it’s not just “life.”
- It’s what you’re eating.
And no, I’m not here to sell you celery juice or tell you to quit jollof for good. But I am gonna tell you the damn truth. And it might sting a bit. Because inflammation? That thing is sneaky.
The Key Takeaway.
Inflammation isn’t just about sickness, it’s your body screaming through your skin, your mood, your poop, your energy levels, and even your “I just don’t feel like myself anymore” feeling. What you eat either puts out the fire or pours gasoline on it. And most of us are walking around like walking bonfires.
Read This Before You Touch Your Next Bite.
Most of the food that tastes good in the short term will mess you up in the long run. And most of the food that heals you… yeah, it won’t blow your taste buds into orbit at first. But it’ll do something else, something better.
- It’ll give you your body back.
- Your mind back.
- Your rhythm, your digestion, your glow.
Not overnight. But steadily.
Because food is either information or inflammation. It’s either helping or hurting. And your body is listening to every bite.
Anti-Inflammatory Foods to EAT.
Fatty Fish (Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines).
Omega-3s = anti-inflammatory superheroes. Think of them like little firefighters in your blood, spraying down the chaos. Plus, they make your brain sharper and your skin smoother. Like baby’s butt kind of smooth.
Leafy Greens (Spinach, Kale).
They’re not sexy, but they’re warriors. They scrub your gut. Feed your cells. Calm your nerves. Spinach in soup? That’s not just food, it’s medicine dressed up as soup.
Turmeric (with Black Pepper).
This one’s not hype. It’s real. Turmeric has curcumin, which is basically a natural painkiller with a PhD in chill. But don’t take it alone, pair it with black pepper. Think Beyoncé and Jay Z.
Berries (Blueberries, Strawberries, Hibiscus).
These are antioxidants in cute packaging. They clean up the trash in your blood. Plus, they satisfy sweet cravings without spiking your sugar like a soft drink from hell.
Sweet Potatoes.
They’re slow carbs. Meaning they don’t punch your insulin in the face. They feed you gently. And they’re loaded with fiber, vitamins, and that slow-release, no-crash kind of energy.
Avocados.
Controversial but real, if you tolerate them, avocados = creamy green anti-inflammatory goodness. They’re full of healthy fats that soothe your gut like a warm hug.
Garlic.
Raw garlic? Sharp. Unforgiving. But it works. It’s basically immune system pepper spray. Anti-everything: anti-viral, anti-bloat, anti-flare-up.
Green Tea.
Coffee makes you feel like a boss for 2 hours. Then anxiety says “hello.” Green tea? Smoother, calmer, and full of anti-inflammatory polyphenols. It’s the quiet goat.
Nuts (Almonds, Walnuts).
Tiny, mighty, and satisfying. Full of fiber, good fat, and antioxidants. They’re what chin chin wishes it was.
Olive Oil.
If you’re still using random cheap oil that smells like burnt rubber, stop. Cold-pressed olive oil is liquid gold. It fights inflammation on a cellular level. Don’t cook with it, drizzle it. Respect it.
Inflammatory Foods to AVOID.
Refined Sugar.
The sweet devil. It spikes your insulin, crashes your energy, ruins your skin, and messes with your hormones. And no, “small Fanta” isn’t safe.
Refined Vegetable Oils (Soybean, Sunflower, Canola),
They’re cheap for a reason. Highly processed. High in omega-6. And omega-6 in excess? It feeds inflammation like petrol feeds fire.
White Bread and Pastries.
They’re empty. Literally. No fiber. No nutrients. Just sugar bombs pretending to be food. That soft bread you love? Yeah. That’s a sugar-coated betrayal.
Processed Meats (Hotdogs, Sausages, Corned Beef).
Nitrates. Preservatives. Sodium. These things turn your body into an acidic battlefield. And don’t even get me started on suya from that shady street food place.
Excess Dairy.
Some people tolerate it. Most don’t. It causes mucus, bloating, acne, and hormonal chaos. Milk is for baby cows. Read that again.
Fried Foods.
Crunchy? Yes. Comforting? Yes. Inflammatory? Hell yes. That chicken and chips you love? Tastes like heaven, feels like hell later.
Sodas and Energy Drinks.
The real “enemy of progress.” Liquid sugar. Zero nutrients. Spikes your blood, stresses your liver. They don’t energize you. They fool you.
Alcohol.
Let’s be real. It messes with your liver, your mood, your sleep. And the inflammation it causes? Quiet but brutal. Not saying don’t drink. Just don’t pretend it’s harmless.
Artificial Sweeteners.
Aspartame. Sucralose. All those lab-made lies. They confuse your brain and irritate your gut. Just use real honey or better, get used to less sweet.
Instant Noodles.
I know. It’s fast. It’s tasty. It’s nostalgic. But it’s also packed with sodium, MSG, and sadness. The more you eat it, the less your body trusts you.
You don’t need to go vegan. You don’t need to eat like a monk. You just need to stop feeding your own fire. Because every bite is a choice. Eat like you want your body to last.
