The holidays are a time of celebration and indulgence. But, in some cases, the decisions you make when being carefree could cause harm. If you suffer from back pain, even the foods you eat this fall and winter could affect the severity of the symptoms. This Thanksgiving, stay away from the following ingredients to enjoy the day with your loved ones.

Thanksgiving Foods That Trigger Inflammation

1. Vegetable & Seed Oils

If you assume everything to do with vegetables is good for the body, think again. Vegetable and seed oils are known to ramp up inflammation, which can exacerbate neck and back pain. Since you will likely need butter or oil when cooking and baking for the holidays, avoid discomfort by using virgin olive or coconut oil. These ensure your cake slips out of the pan without hurting your slipped disc.

2. Alcohol

In small quantities, alcohol is okay, but some people tend to drink more than they usually do over the holidays. With no work and driving to do for hours—or maybe even a few days—it’s easy to let loose. However, if you have back pain, try to keep libations to one or two drinks an evening. In addition to raising the inflammatory marker CRP, excessive alcohol intake can also lead to “leaky gut” syndrome, which spurs inflammation throughout the body, as well as organ damage. If you’re craving a certain drink, go for a mocktail version instead—such as hot apple cider without any liquor.

3. Sugar & High-Fructose Corn Syrup

Though that pumpkin pie may look too delicious to pass up, it’s important to keep your sweets to a minimum if you’re suffering from a condition driven by inflammation. Some studies show that fructose causes the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels to swell, which can worsen your discomfort. Stick to the natural sugars in fruits and vegetables or substitute these ingredients for stevia extract.

If you experience back pain and want to enjoy the holidays this year, turn to iSpine Pain Physicians of the Twin Cities, MN, area. The specialists offer chronic pain management tools from their four convenient locations, so you can enjoy the spoils of the season without feeling uncomfortable. For more information about how they can assist, visit the website, or call (763) 201-8191 to reach their Delano location and schedule an appointment.