At Zing Wellbeing we are PASSIONATE about educating and informing women so we can all make better health choices and be in the BEST health possible and our entire program is based around this. P.S you can join our program and app here.

If you’re a woman struggling with stubborn weight gain, bloating, brain fog, mood swings, or chronic fatigue — it may be less about the number of calories you eat and more about the type of food you’re putting in your body.

In her powerful podcast episode, Dr. Mindy Pelz — a leading voice in women’s health and hormone science — dives into the three most inflammatory foods that are silently sabotaging your metabolism, gut, and hormones. And the truth is, most of us are eating them daily without even realising it.

Here’s what she wants every woman to know:

🔥 Why Inflammation Matters (Especially for Women)

Before we get into the food list, let’s talk inflammation. Dr. Mindy explains that inflammation is the root of nearly every modern health struggle women face — especially in midlife and menopause.

When the body is inflamed, it affects:

• Hormonal balance (especially insulin, estrogen, and cortisol)

• Gut health and the microbiome

• Metabolism and weight regulation

• Mental wellbeing, including anxiety and depression

• Sleep quality and energy levels

Even if you’re eating less or exercising more, if you’re inflamed — your body is in “survival mode,” holding onto weight and struggling to repair.

And if you are thinking what meal plans can I use that are anti inflammatory or hormone balancing the GOOD NEWS is that Zing Wellbeing has anti inflammatory meal plans and hormone balancing ones amongst 20+ other women's health meal plans you can use - you can get access to ALL of them and our Zing Wellbeing app when you become a member here 

🛑 The 3 Most Inflammatory Foods to Avoid

1. Refined Sugars and Highly Processed Carbs

According to Dr. Mindy, refined sugar is public enemy number one for women’s health. It spikes blood sugar, stresses the liver, feeds harmful gut bacteria, and worsens hormone imbalance.

🧠 It’s linked to:

• Insulin resistance and leptin resistance (making fat loss harder)

• Estrogen dominance and PMS symptoms

• Fatigue, anxiety, and poor sleep

You’ll find it hiding in:

• Soft drinks, fruit juices, and “health bars”

• Breakfast cereals, sauces, yoghurts, baked goods

• Even in foods labeled “low-fat” or “gluten-free”

• Highly processed snacks, ice-creams and biscuits

Swap with: Natural sweeteners like monk fruit, raw honey (in moderation), or fruit-based treats.

You can also use our healthy recipes to make your own snacks and meals so you have 100% control on what is going into your body - become a member here for full access 

2. Industrial Seed Oils

Dr. Mindy is crystal clear: oils like canola, corn, soy, sunflower, safflower, and vegetable oil are highly inflammatory — and everywhere in packaged foods.

💥 These oils:

• Are chemically processed and stripped of nutrients

• Promote omega-6 dominance, which fuels inflammation

• Disrupt cell membranes and hormone receptors

• Are linked to cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and cognitive decline

You’ll find them in:

• Chips, crackers, salad dressings, sauces, frozen meals

• “Healthy” nut butters, protein bars, and plant-based snacks

• Any highly processed food

Swap with: Extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, cold-pressed coconut oil, or grass-fed ghee.

3. Artificial Additives, Preservatives & Flavours

From artificial sweeteners to flavour enhancers and preservatives, chemical-laden food products are a gut-health disaster.

🌱 These additives:

• Damage the gut lining and microbiome

• Trigger autoimmune responses

• Interfere with detox pathways in the liver

• Can mimic estrogen in the body (a big problem for women in perimenopause)

You’ll find them in:

• Diet drinks, “zero sugar” snacks, flavoured yoghurts, chewing gum

• Processed snack foods, ice creams, packaged goods

• Packaged soups, frozen meals, and even deli meats

Swap with: Whole foods you can recognise — or products with 5 ingredients or less, all of which you can pronounce.

All our Zing Wellbeing recipes focus on wholefoods so your body gets the best nutrition possible - become a member here for full acces

👩⚕️ What Dr. Mindy Recommends Instead

The goal isn’t to be perfect — it’s to reduce the daily inflammation load on your body. Dr. Mindy suggests focusing on:

✅ Real wholefoods — fruits, vegetables, quality protein, healthy fats
✅ Anti-inflammatory spices — turmeric, ginger, cinnamon
✅ Fermented foods — sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir
✅ Gut-nourishing fibre — chia seeds, flax, leafy greens
✅ Fasting strategies (when appropriate) to support repair and detox
✅ Cycle syncing your nutrition if you’re still menstruating
✅ Minimising processed snacks — even if they’re labelled “vegan” or “low carb” and do not have them on a regular basis

💬 Final Thoughts: You’re Not Broken — You’re Inflamed

Dr. Mindy’s message is empowering: You’re not broken. Your body is just inflamed and overwhelmed.

By removing just a few key inflammatory triggers — and replacing them with nourishing wholefoods — women often see:

• Weight loss without restriction

• Reduced PMS and period pain

• Better moods and mental clarity

• Less bloating and better digestion

• Increased energy and better sleep

You don’t have to do it all at once. Start with one small change — even swapping your cooking oil is a win!

For our full meal plans and recipes - become a member here