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If you've noticed that your hands and feet have swelled up recently, it might be something known as the dreaded warm-weather bloat. A combination of over-indulgence (we blame barbecues and rose slushes!) and rising temps make bloating and swelling more common during summer months.
Your diet plays a major role--click through the slideshow to find out which foods are contributing to your inflammation and edema so you can cut them out STAT.
French fries
Salty foods like french fries and chips are the number one culprit of swelling in your extremeties, which is actually buildup of fluids known as edema.
Added salt
When cooking, avoid adding salt. What happens is that salt attracts water in the body's process of homeostasis. It won't let go of the water until the balance has been restored, and when your body holds on to fluids, that's when you start to look like puffy and swelled up.
White bread
Refined foods like white bread also cause your body to hold onto excess water.
Pasta
Pasta is another example of a refined food that worsen edema, or swelling. Instead, eat whole grain pasta with no added sugar.
Rice
Rice is another refined food to avoid. This means no sushi!
Baked goods
Baked items like muffins should be avoided at all costs, as they contain refined grains, sugar and sometimes trans fat--all three are terrible for inflammation and edema.
Granola bars
Granola bars are terible for edema and inflammation due to their added sugars and refined grains. Yikes!
Flavored yogurt
Flavored yogurts contain added sugars that cause the body to hold on to water.
