It’s 2020 and yet when you tell someone you are vegan you still get puzzled looks sometimes. And if not “awesome yeah me too” their reply is “wow really? I don’t think I could. Why are you vegan?” I can’t describe how much I despise that question ‘why are you vegan?’. Because factory farms are horrific places where animals aren’t treated as living, sentient beings but as products and pieces of the industrial food machine, because I feel healthier, lighter, sharper, because I don’t have as many major acute pain episodes, not even minor ones. Because I want to be. All those are my reasons so I hate justifying the reason why my diet is different from yours.

I’d been very inconsistent with my diet for about 7/8 years but I got more motivated to stick to it when I kept running into the term “anti-inflammatory diet” when researching about nutrition and Sickle Cell. But why is inflammation bad for us, anyway? And what does food have to do with it?

Inflammation is a part of your body’s normal response to infection or injury. It’s when your damaged tissue releases chemicals that tell white blood cells to start repairing. But sometimes, inflammation is low-grade, spread throughout the body, and chronic. This chronic inflammation can do damage to your body. It can play a role in the buildup of plaque in your arteries that can up your risk of heart disease and stroke. It’s also associated with a higher risk of cancer, diabetes and other chronic conditions.

The choices you make at the grocery store can have an impact on the inflammation in your body. Scientists are still unraveling how food affects the body’s inflammatory processes, but they know a few things. Research shows that what you eat can affect the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP)—a marker for inflammation—in your blood. That could be because some foods like processed sugars help release inflammatory messengers that can raise the risk of chronic inflammation.

The good news: Foods that are anti-inflammatory tend to be the same foods that can help keep you healthy in other ways, too. So eating with inflammation in mind doesn’t have to be complicated or restrictive.

Simple rules for anti-inflammatory eating:

1. Eat more plants. Whole plant foods have the anti-inflammatory nutrients that your body needs. So eating a rainbow of fruits, veggies, whole grains and legumes is the best place to start.
2. Focus on antioxidants. They help prevent, delay or repair some types of cell and tissue damage. They’re found in colorful fruits and veggies like berries, leafy greens, beets and avocados, as well as beans and lentils, whole grains, ginger, turmeric and green tea.
3. Get your Omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids play a role in regulating your body’s inflammatory process and could help regulate pain related to inflammation. Find these healthy fats in fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel, as well as smaller amounts in walnuts, pecans, ground flaxseed and soy.
4. Eat less red meat or none at all. Red meat can be pro-inflammatory. Aim for a realistic goal. Try substituting your lunchtime beef with fish, nuts or soy-based protein a few times a week.
5. Cut the processed stuff. Sugary cereals and soft drinks, deep-fried food, and pastries are all pro-inflammatory offenders. They can contain plenty of unhealthy fats that are linked to inflammation. But eating whole fruits, veggies, grains and beans can be quick if you prep ahead for multiple meals.

I can’t say I regret not going vegan much earlier because I wasn’t ready to learn about it. But I am glad I just happened to be introduced to it thanks to my Seventh Day Adventist college 8 years ago. I was still young and ignorant about diet and how important it is in an average individuals life and especially important for anyone with a condition like mine. I would recommend that every sickle cell warrior take up an anti-inflammatory diet if not going all the way vegan.

Note: This is a personal blog and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.