5 Tasty Anti-Inflammatory Diet Swaps to Lose Weight

Mike Moreno, MD, used to think he had rapid weight-loss down to a science…until he developed a painful hip condition. After experimenting with strategies to ease the discomfort, he passed his best anti-inflammatory diet swaps along to patients and social media fans. Suddenly, many were losing faster than ever — a pound a day, sometimes two. On top of that, “people stopped needing painkillers and cortisone shots. Blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol got dramatically better in a short time,” he says. There was a long-term bonus too: Lowering inflammation changes body chemistry and revs fat burn, so folks report losing for periods of up to six months without a strict plan. Says Dr. Mike, “I think you’ll be amazed by the results. I know I am!”

Even if you don’t have pain or swelling, Dr. Mike says there’s still a good chance inf lammation is hiding inside you. Why? Modern life is inflammatory, and factors like blood-sugar surges and polluted air never go away long enough for irritation to subside. So chronic inflammation “smolders” in our tissues and organs, putting such stress on our immune systems that research now links it to everything from allergies and IBS to heart disease and multiple sclerosis. It also stresses the thyroid and fat-burning mechanisms in cells, slowing metabolism. “It can make weight easy to gain and hard to lose,” notes Dr. Mike.

The fix? Just replace inflammatory foods with healing options, says The 17 Day Kickstart Diet (Buy from Amazon, $19.49) author. In general, you’ll limit foods that can spike blood sugar or cause GI upset (namely sweets, grains, dairy, and processed junk), while loading up on foods full of soothing antioxidants, fats and protein (especially colorful produce, seafood, and healthy oils). Clinical testing shows approaches like this are so good at easing inflammation, they can begin to reverse diabetes in three days, clear brain fog in 10 days and reduce blood pressure and pain in 17 days — all while triggering impressive weight loss. “By day four, you’ll feel so good, you’ll never want to stop!”

Dr. Mike’s Best Swaps

To get started, try the fun menus below, or just use these tasty ideas to make over your favorite meals…

Trade sugar for maple syrup. Refined sweeteners wreak havoc on blood sugar and are devoid of antioxidants. By contrast, studies show maple syrup contains dozens of antioxidants. “A couple servings a day can satisfy your sweet tooth while moving you toward your goals,” says Dr. Mike.

Trade vegetable oil for avocado oil. Most cooking oil contains inf lammatory compounds. “Even olive oil can be inf lammatory when heated,” cautions Dr. Mike. But avocado oil has a high “smoke point,” making it safe hunger and help for cooking. It’s also packed with anti-inflammatory nutrients proven to kill belly fat melt up to 30 times faster!

Trade pasta for beans. While most starchy foods drive up blood sugar, the “resistant starch” in beans digests in a way that lowers blood sugar and, per University of Colorado findings, revs metabolism by 25 percent.

Trade deli meat for canned salmon. Chemicals in processed meat are highly inflammatory, cautions Dr. Mike. Omega-3s in seafood have the opposite effect, plus studies show they boost fat burn. Any wild-caught salmon is great, but canned versions are convenient and affordable.

Trade diet soda for green tea. The latest science shows artificial sweeteners feed inflammatory gut bacteria. Meanwhile, green tea is a concentrated source of antioxidants that feed good bacteria and boost metabolism. No wonder a Tufts University study found dieters who sip green tea lose up to 25 times more belly fat than those who drink diet soda.

These Easy Superfood Meals Soothe As They Slim

To try Dr. Mike’s approach, enjoy three meals a day, using veggies and fruit to load each sitting with color. Make omega-3–rich seafood a go-to protein, beans a go-to starch, and add a little good fat per sitting. Sip water or green tea in place of sugary drinks.

If hungry, snack on one to two boiled eggs, pickles, or veggies. Steer clear of most processed food and grains. Find more information and meal ideas at DrMikeDiet.com.