The RAD (Rare Adipose Disease) Diet
The RAD diet is pretty restrictive, but has been designed to promote the reduction of inflammation.
The essentials of the RAD diet are as follows:
- Lower consumption of pasteurized dairy products, animal protein and fats, simple sugars and carbohydrates (low glycemic), salt and wheat or processed flour products, while enriching the diet with organic fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy proteins.
- Avoid foods that contain lots of chemicals such as artificial preservatives, flavors, fake sweeteners like aspartame, colors and stabilizers which includes most prepared, packaged and fast foods.
- A lot of packaged foods have advanced glycation end products or AGEs that can cause damage in the body and increase the risk for diabetes and alzheimers. Cooked foods also have AGEs so raw foodists also support lowering your AGE consumption.
1. Lower fat consumption as fats are absorbed directly into the lymphatics. | 4. Lower your salt intake if you are able so you retain less water/fluid. |
Foods that we are allowed to eat:
Proteins: Chicken, fish (especially fish high in Omega 3 fatty acids, such as salmon—but watch mercury content), beans, quinoa, black beans, chick peas, lentils, hummus, etc., Eggs (preferably egg whites), Raw Protein Powder (Low in sodium)
Dairy: Almond, rice, coconut or hemp milk.
Fruit and vegetables: All fruits and vegetables are good for us, the more colour variety the better.
Grains and Carbs: whole grains, such as brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, faro (type of wheat), teff (wheat alternative), millet, buckwheat, sweet potatoes.
Fats: MCT oil, coconut oil, or olive oil for cooking and condiments, Omega-3 fatty acids—nuts, avocados and olives.
Other: Natural sweeteners in moderation - Stevia, raw agave syrup, raw honey, 100% maple syrup, coconut palm sugar. One square of dark chocolate, daily, for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties from bioflavonoids.
Foods that we should NOT be eating:
Protein: Beef and other red meats such as pork, ham, bacon and lamb (due to sialic acid and high fat content). Processed foods in general.
Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter (organic only, if you must eat a little, choose harder cheeses). Dairy contains the same sialic acid found in beef.
Grains and Carbs: Simple carbs—white flour, white potatoes, white rice and wheat (which can lead to inflammation)
Fats: Hydrogenated fats (margarine, shortening, and processed foods with partially hydrogenated oils), high fat foods—mayonnaise, fried foods, potato chips/salty snacks, regular salad dressing. Try to keep fat content to less than 30% of total calories, and minimal saturated fat.
Other: Sugar and artificial sweeteners (Aspartame or Splenda found in diet drinks and most diet versions of food)
Food that should only be eaten in moderation:
Protein: Turkey (due to sialic acid) once a year. Soy (tofu, soy sauce), due to the high phytoestrogen content. Soy is also hidden in many processed foods in various forms (lecithin, soybean oil).
Dairy: Coconut-based yogurt, ice cream, and coffee creamer.
Grains and Carbs: Ready to eat cereal—it is inflammatory due to high acidity and sugar.
Fats: Olive oil mayonnaise, olive oil based salad dressings.
Other: Salt (including sea salt or Himalayan salt). Caffeine & alcohol
