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Have you ever eaten and realized you are clearing your throat quite a bit? Embarrassing and annoying, right? This uncomfortable feeling is due to phlegm build-up from mucus-forming foods. While mucus can serve as a protectant against dust, bacteria, and pathogens; too much mucus can potentially harm the body causing respiratory problems, diabetes, and other diseases.

You may not be aware, but some of the most common foods we eat cause mucus.

Here are 12 mucus-forming foods:

-Red meat

-Cheese

-Yogurt

-Ice cream

-Refined sugar

-Bread

-Pasta

-Soy products

-Butter

-Eggs

-Coffee

-Alcohol

In addition, you want to avoid fried foods and other processed and refined foods. If you are not willing to avoid the mucus-forming foods, consider decreasing your consumption and replacing them with more mucus reducing foods like:

-Green leafy vegetables

-Lime

-Grapefruit

-Ginger

-Turmeric

-Pineapple

-Cucumber

Eating more alkaline-forming and anti-inflammatory foods is a great way to decrease mucus and inflammation in the body. By doing so you are helping to prevent the body from colds, and chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Tips To Start Reducing Unwanted Mucus In The Body

Tip #1: Drink Lime Water Every Morning

Drinking lime water every morning helps to alkalize your body. It also helps to fight infections, reduces inflammation, improves digestion, helps with weight loss, rejuvenates the skin, and removes mucus. This is by far the quickest and easiest routine to add to your everyday routine.

Tip #2: Consume Cucumbers

Cucumbers are rich in potassium, vitamin C, and water. They aid in cleansing the body and reducing inflammation. A great way to add cucumber into your everyday diet is to drink cucumber and lime water throughout the day. Not only does this reduce mucus and inflammation, but it keeps you hydrated and improves the skin.

Tip #3: Find Alternatives

Find alternatives to some of the mucus-forming foods that you may love. If you enjoy yogurt, try a dairy-free yogurt. Same with milk, try any of the dairy-free or soy-free milks that are nut-based or non-nut based (cashew milk and oat milk are great options).

Tip #4: Ginger & Turmeric

Both ginger and turmeric fight inflammation. Drink in tea form or juice the root for instant relief from mucus.

Tip #5: Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are also known to reduce phlegm and inflammation. Moderate consumption of salmon, nuts, and chia seeds are all great omega-3 foods.

Tip #6: Refined, Trans, And Saturated

Try replacing trans and saturated fats with healthier fats such as vegetable and seed-based oils. Instead of refined grains like rice, try whole grains like brown rice and whole oats.

This isn’t an overnight change, but gradually transitioning and being more mindful of what you are consuming can help prevent mucus and other chronic diseases in the future.

Which of the above tips are you going to incorporate into your daily routine?

Elissa Mirsky, known to most as Elle, is a published author and former editor-in-chief of Bold Magazine. She believes food shouldn’t be boring and every meal should be fashionably edible. Follow her on Instagram @mylifebeingelle where she is documenting her journey to eat well, live life, and love self.