9 Thanksgiving Foods That Can Cause Inflammation, According To Experts, & What You Should Know About The Link

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, if you can believe it. And given that the day is pretty much all about gathering around the dinner table, you might be starting to wax nostalgic about your favorite holiday meal. If there was ever a time to revel in pumpkin pie spice, this is it, folks. But you may not have realized that your favorite Thanksgiving foods can cause inflammation, which can potentially lead to other ill effects in the body.

“I hate to say it, but when you’re talking pro-inflammatory foods, stuffing made with bread, butter, and gravy/giblets is pretty high on the list,” Dr. Darria Long Gillespie, Harvard and Yale-trained ER doctor and author of Mom Hacks tell. "Since most of the bread used for stuffing is either white bread or highly processed wheat versions, they’ll quickly break down into simple sugars in the bloodstream," which can lead to inflammation.

It's also important to note that acute inflammation in the body can be a good thing, as it helps speed up wound healing and helps prevent infections, according to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. That said, health problems can set in when inflammation becomes chronic, meaning that your immune system acts like it's in a constant state of response and attacks healthy tissue, rather than potential sources of infection, according to Harvard Health. Medical News Today reports that chronic inflammation may be the root cause of myriad health problems from digestive illnesses, arthritis, autoimmune conditions, and some cancers. By avoiding inflammation-causing foods when you can, you can help protect your body against many illnesses.

While a fear of inflammation should definitely not keep you from enjoying your holiday meal, if you are concerned about it, you have options. Here are eight inflammation-causing Thanksgiving foods that you might want to take note of before the festivities begin.

1Cranberry Sauce

"While cranberries are a fruit, and therefore packed full of nutrients and antioxidants, ... cranberry sauce is loaded with sugar," Adrienne Klein, CTNC, and Thyroid Refresh resident nutritionist tells . "The canned version is full of high fructose corn syrup." According to Healthline, eating too much refined sugar is linked to chronic inflammation.

2Green Bean Casserole

While green beans are a delicious addition to your Thanksgiving table, "green bean casserole is a trap of inflammatory ingredients," such as dairy and gluten, which are inflammatory for some people, says Klein. Instead, Klein recommends either steaming your green beans, or sautéing them.

3Mashed Potatoes

"Potatoes are a great dish to have at Thanksgiving," Klein says. "The only downside is the milk and butter added to them to make mashed potatoes." According to the Arthritis Foundation, studies suggest that dairy foods can be inflammatory for some people.

Klein suggests that swapping out the milk and butter in your mashed potatoes with chicken or veggie broth and ghee can make a less inflammatory version of this classic dish. Roasted baby red potatoes are a great alternative, too.

4Commercial Gravy

Some commercial gravies can be full of potentially inflammatory ingredients, like sodium, dairy, MSG, food additives, and gluten. If you're not making your own gravy at home this year, make sure to check your food labels before buying.

5Pumpkin Pie

Traditional pumpkin pie is full of refined white sugar and refined grains, both of which are linked to chronic inflammation in the body, according to the Arthritis Foundation. A less inflammatory choice, says Klein, is homemade pumpkin pudding made with coconut milk and coconut whipped cream. You can also experiment with whole grain pie crusts, too.

6Eggnog

Traditional eggnog is made with potentially inflammation-causing alcohol and refined sugar. The Mayo Clinic recommends warm vanilla chai drinks, or low-sugar, homemade eggnog as alternatives to the traditional sugar-laden version.

7Sweet Tea

While not everyone includes sweet tea at Thanksgiving, if you do, Klein advises that traditional sweet tea is high in white sugar. Other options include making your own unsweetened tea, or you can swap refined sugar for honey or maple syrup.

8 Commercial Wines & Liquors

The Arthritis Foundation recommends alcohol in moderation in order to avoid its potentially inflammation-causing effects. Enjoying your favorite beverages in moderation is a totally valid choice.

9Dinner Rolls

Refined grains, like those found in traditional dinner rolls, are processed by the body as simple sugars, and can cause inflammation-promoting insulin spikes, says Dr. Gillespie. The Arthritis Foundation also notes that refined carbohydrates have been linked to chronic inflammation . You can try swapping out your white flour rolls for a whole grain version, for a less-inflammatory option.

Klein notes that creating an anti-inflammatory Thanksgiving menu is actually pretty simple. Using whole grain pie crusts and rolls, cutting back on sugar, and roasting your veggies can help. But also, remember that Thanksgiving is literally just once a year, and if you do decide to enjoy some traditional treats, it truly isn't the end of the world. There's nothing wrong with enjoying your favorite foods at any time of year, but if you're looking to avoid potential sources of inflammation, this is a place to start.

10 Foods & Drinks That Can Surprisingly Make Your Infection Worse, According To Experts

When you have an infection, it's important to pay attention to what you're eating to make sure that you can heal quickly. There's a strong relationship between food and immunity, so knowing which foods that can keep your sick longer can help you build a better plate, filled with the right choices for greater health. Eating foods that will strengthen the immune system is key, and those can be found in fruits, vegetables, and lots of fluids, and avoiding those that can increase infection symptoms will reduce your time spent being sick.

1. Excess Roughage

According to Dr. Partha Nandi M.D., F.A.C.P, creator and host of the Emmy-award winning medical lifestyle television show, “Ask Dr. Nandi” and Chief Health Editor at WXYZ-TV (ABC) Detroit, over email with Bustle, "while you may think regular fiber and roughage, such as that found in lettuce and beans, is good when you have diarrhea, that isn’t the case. Roughage typically adds bulk to your stool, making it easier to pass, but when you have diarrhea, it’s counterproductive. These foods are difficult to digest, make your stomach and bowels work harder, and will likely keep you suffering longer."

2. Dairy Products

Nandi advises ditching dairy when sick, such as cheese, yogurt, and milk products, as it can "worsen your symptoms," as well as lead to greater diarrhea, if you're dealing with a stomach condition. It can also increase mucus and make you feel stuffy.

3. Orange Juice

According to Dr. Caroline Cederquist, founder of bistroMD, "in addition to other fruit sugar beverages, it’s a good idea to hold off of super sweet drinks like orange juice. The sugar can actually affect white blood cell function by decreasing their ability to fight off infection."

4. Soda

Nandi advises to not drink soda, as soda can make you more inflamed and is loaded with sugar. It's best to decrease inflammation in the body, as the levels are already high from just being sick. Instead of grabbing a cold soda, reach for lots of water and herbal tea to calm the body and boost hydration.

5. Ice Cream

Unless you're getting your tonsils taken out, it's best to back away from the soft stuff. "Sugar can actually weaken your immune system and prolong an illness. When sick, avoid foods and drinks like soda and ice cream," says Cederquist. "Instead, I suggest that people eat whole fruits to get their vitamins and minerals because the whole fruit will also have some fiber in it," says Cederquist.

6. Gluten

Gluten can cause inflammation, especially from wheat, so limiting gluten when sick can help you feel better faster. By avoiding gluten, you might be able to lower your inflammation and improve bowel movements, as some people can also not tolerate gluten due to stomach complications.

7. Fried Foods

"Most dietary fats are inflammatory, which means that means that when you eat fried foods, for example, your immune system is going to respond with inflammation. Too much inflammation can aggravate and overstimulate your immune response, resulting in an immune system that is overworked," says Cederquist. "Skipping fried foods is also a good idea to avoid taxing the GI tract with difficult-to-digest foods. Fried foods are definitely among the worst foods to eat when you are sick," Cederquist adds.

8. Unhealthy Oils

According to Dr. Andrew Weil, MD, on his website, eating bad oils, such as vegetable oil, can lead to inflammation. It's high in Omega 6 fats, which can be troublesome when sick. Instead, have Omega 3, found in salmon, olive oil, and walnuts for better sources of anti-inflammatory fats.

9. Alcohol

Cederquist advises against skipping alcohol when sick. "Alcohol intake, especially intake that occurs on a daily basis, can actually change the number of T-cells that make up a vital part of your immune system, making it more difficult to fight off infections. So skip your brew of choice and have water or hot tea instead," says Cederquist.

10. Baked Goods

Cederquist recommends ditching sweet foods, as they can promote inflammation in the body. Cederquist explains, "Bacteria also like to feed on excess sugars, and this includes the harmful bacteria that can be partially responsible for making you unwell. Starve those suckers by keeping your sugar intake low and avoiding sugary foods when you are sick."

If you have any of these foods and drinks when sick, try eating healthier fats, lean proteins, and a rainbow of fruits and veggies for better health and decreased inflammation. You'll be better in no time.

7 Healthy Thanksgiving Day Swaps for Arthritis Relief

Turkey Day Food Swaps for Arthritis

The traditional fall foods of the Thanksgiving meal can be a minefield when you're trying to manage rheumatoid arthritis. Some favorite Thanksgiving Day foods are full of hidden fat and calories and aggravate the inflammatory condition. On the other hand, healthy eats for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may actually help fight inflammation and make it easier to maintain a healthy weight.

With these seven swaps for healthy Thanksgiving Day foods for RA, you can savor the flavors without sacrificing your joint health.

 Swap Out Pecans for Apples in Pie

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for people with rheumatoid arthritis because extra weight puts more pressure on already stressed joints, says Eric L. Matteson, MD, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. That doesn’t mean you have to skip dessert entirely, however.

Instead, skip the high-fat, high-sugar Thanksgiving Day foods like pecan pie filling and opt for a fruit-based dessert for nutritional benefits as well as fewer calories. Fall foods like apple pie can have fewer than half the calories of pecan pie.

 Swap Out Gravy for Cranberry Sauce

Thanksgiving Day gravy is traditionally made from fatty turkey drippings, which means it’s high in saturated fat. Saturated fats are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which are tied to increased joint inflammation and obesity.

“You don’t need much, so use gravy sparingly,” says Bethany Thayer, MS, RDN, the director of the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan. “Or use cranberries or some fruit puree on meat to give it some moisture and some nutrients as well as antioxidants.” Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables are healthy RA foods because they help fight inflammation, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

 Swap Out Sweet Potato Casserole for Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potato casserole is a fall food that’s loaded with extra sugar and fat — an easy contributor to holiday weight gain. “If you’re making sweet potato casserole and adding brown sugar, marshmallows, and butter, what you’ve done is taken a healthy sweet potato and added bad things to it,” says Thayer.

Sweet potatoes on their own are a good source of fiber and inflammation-fighting antioxidants, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Try cutting them into cubes, dusting them with seasonal spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and roasting them in the oven for a healthier Thanksgiving Day side dish.

Swap Out Fried Onions for Almonds in Green Bean Casserole

The classic recipe for Thanksgiving Day green bean casserole calls for cream of mushroom soup and a fatty fried onion topping. Both are unhealthy foods for RA because they're high in saturated fats that can trigger inflammation.

To lighten up this Thanksgiving favorite, Thayer suggests using reduced-fat or fat-free soup and topping the dish with slivered or sliced almonds for a healthy crunch. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are a good source of heart-healthy fiber, unsaturated fats, and antioxidants. The omega-3 fatty acids found in some nuts are also thought to reduce the risk for RA and fight inflammation.

Swap Out White Bread for Whole Grains in Stuffing

Stuffing is another Thanksgiving favorite that can be made healthier with some simple swaps, Thayer says. Rather than using white bread and lots of butter in the stuffing, choose whole-grain bread and low-sodium chicken broth to moisten it. Add some dried fruit and chopped vegetables to the mix to add even more nutrition and flavor. Including more fruits and vegetables in traditional Thanksgiving Day foods is a healthy way to add more inflammation-fighting antioxidants.

 Reduce the Fat in Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is a high-fat side dish that appears on many Thanksgiving tables. “If Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without it, then just watch your portion size,” says Thayer.

But you can make macaroni and cheese healthier by using whole-grain pasta and cutting back on the cheese or using reduced-fat cheese. Adding pureed cooked carrots or cauliflower to macaroni and cheese is another way to incorporate more healthy foods for RA symptoms into a traditional Thanksgiving Day food.

Swap Out Turkey for Salmon

Although Thanksgiving Day turkey can be a lean source of protein, eating it with the skin on and under an avalanche of gravy can quickly pile on extra fat and calories. It may be a hard sell to get rid of the turkey entirely at Thanksgiving, but Thayer suggests offering salmon as a new holiday tradition or along with the turkey. Fatty fishes like salmon and tuna are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory properties.

When Thanksgiving was known as Ragamuffin Day! Forgotten tradition saw poor children dressed in costumes and spooky masks hit adults with flour filled sacks if they didn't give them money (13 Pics)

At first glance, these images might look like a celebration of Halloween - but they actually show a Thanksgiving tradition was popular more than a century ago.

Decades before trick-or-treating became a popular Halloween custom,Thanksgiving celebrations saw mostly poor children parade through the streets in costume wearing painted faces or donning unsettling masks to beg adults for money, candy or fruit.

The now forgotten custom of 'Thanksgiving Masking' was practised by both children and adults in cities all over the country in the late 19th and early 20th century.

It was especially popular in New York City where so many boys and girls dressed as beggars that Thanksgiving Day took on a nickname - Ragamuffin Day.

'Parades of ragamuffins — sometimes called 'fantastics' because of the costumes — can be dated at least to 1891,' historian Carmen Nigro told NPR.

These historical images, taken in New York City circa 1910 to 1915, show children dressed up like adults. Some have their faces painted and others have donned frightening masks.

A band of children taking part in the tradition of Thanksgiving Masking are pictured in costume, with some wearing masks

In the late 19th and early 20th century, Thanksgiving celebrations saw mostly poor children parade through the streets in costume wearing painted faces or unsettling masks

The tradition saw children dressed as adults or boys dressed as girls or vice versa parading through the streets on Thanksgiving Day

It was especially popular in New York City, where so many boys and girls dressed as beggars that Thanksgiving Day took on a nickname - Ragamuffin Day

The now forgotten custom of 'Thanksgiving Masking' was practiced by both children and adults in cities all over the country in the late 19th and early 20th century

One article from The River Press in November 1911 reports the custom is thought to have originated with New York's foreign-born population

One article from the era noted that adults who didn't hand over money might get a child blowing a horn in their ear or find themselves hit with a flour-filled sack

Revelers dressed as 'Fausts, Filipinos, Mephistos, Boers, Uncle Sams, John Bulls, Harlequins, bandits, sailors, soldiers in khaki suits,' the New York Times observed in 1899

So many people took part in the Thanksgiving Masking festivities that the Los Angeles Times reported in 1927 that Thanksgiving was 'the busiest time of the year for the manufacturers of and dealers in masks and false faces'

Some thought the custom of 'dressing in old clothes, many sizes too large, painting their faces or putting on masks' was 'here to stay'

Young children are seen dressed in costumes for Thanksgiving Masking - with one on the right donning an unsettling mask

A young boy is seen carrying a turkey home for Thanksgiving. Turkey, pork, apples, figs and mince pies were traditionally eaten for Thanksgiving at the time

Turkeys are seen on display between 1910 and 1915, a time when Thanksgiving festivities looked a lot like Halloween

Lance's last stand: Defiant ex-soldier is ordered to STOP trying to save his home as it hangs over cliff as the ONLY surviving property on coastline destroyed by the Beast from the East (9 Pics)

A defiant old soldier whose home faces tumbling into the sea has been ordered to stop doing DIY to protect his property.

Lance Martin, 61, had been using a mechanical digger to transfer concrete blocks and piling up sand at the base of a crumbling cliff to protect his bungalow.

This comes after a number of nearby homes perched on a cliff edge were evacuated and demolished in the aftermath of the 'Beast from the East' storm earlier this year.

Bungalows were left hanging from the edge of the clifftop at the Marrams, in Hemsby, Norfolk, where some began toppling into the sea in March.

This is how badly Lance's chalet was hanging off the cliff in the aftermath of the storm. It faced falling off completely after the extreme weather battered his house. The property is pictured immediately after the extreme weather hit the coast in May this year  

This image shows how badly another side of the house - pictured immediately after the storm - was affected by the extreme weather with pummelled the coastline in May this year. The storm's damage affected the surroundings of the chalet, which was left in a precarious position despite being the only one in the immediate stretch of land to survive

This shocking image shows the effects of the Beast from the East. Both properties either side of Lance's are gone - and now he's being stopped from restoring his to its former glory 

The former soldier (pictured, outside his home) says that he's willing to put in the sea defences necessary to protect his property but has been told that doing so will violate planning rules 

But Lance has now been ordered to stop building his own sea defences by the local council which says he is breaking planning rules.

Lance, who served in the British Army from 1978 to 2000, said: 'I looked at the tide tables and saw there were a lot of high tides coming up. I thought I've got to do something about this.'

A major demolition of the chalet-type buildings was conducted by the council after the eroding coastline they were built on left them uninhabitable.

The ex-soldier (pictured) took matters into his own hands when disaster struck his house on the seaside, leaving it at risk of crumbling into the sea 

But homeowner Lance managed to salvage his chalet, which he bought as a retirement property and has since been conducting his own work on his house ahead of the winter. However, the borough council has banned him from carrying out any more work involving the beach.

Lance added: 'I know from speaking to the council that they have plans for coastal sea defences but that's going to take at least three years, which is no good to me or other residents.

'I knew there were about 50 concrete blocks under the sand outside my house. I decided off my own bat to go hire a digger, dig them up and use them to fortify my position here, to give myself protection from the high tides.'

Lance said the concrete blocks ranged from two to three square metres, and weighed up to four tonnes each. With a friend, the former grenadier guardsman started moving the heavy objects on Thursday October 8, and took a week to get them all into position on the beach.

The storm pounded the Norfolk coast, eroding it to such an extent that properties faced plunging down the side of the cliffs and into the sea 

He added: 'We got to the stage where we had all the blocks where we wanted them and started to back fill them with sand.

'Then on the Thursday evening, I had a phone call from the planning department of Great Yarmouth council telling me to immediately stop and desist what we were doing.'

Lance asked the if he could fill in the holes left on the beach for public safety, but the council told him no. 

He said: 'The problem is that I've gone and done something that I should've applied for but because of the imminent danger to the building and myself, I took it upon myself to do what needed to be done.

'If not, we would be two or three months down the line and I would be in the sea on my way to Norway.'

Lance said that in a council meeting at Hemsby village hall in May, he was told by a councillor that nothing would happen regarding coastal defences for at least three years.

He moved to the spot in Norfolk in November 2017, buying the small bungalow for £95,000. Lance said: 'This is my dream home. When I moved here, I could not see the sea from my roof.

'If I see something that needs doing, I will go ahead and do it. I just don't see the end because it's a committee for this, and a committee for that.'

The father-of-one, who lives at the property with his partner Vicki, said he moved to the area because he was a keen bird spotter and nature lover.

He added: 'When I first moved here it was surrounded on three sides by sand dunes, it was just beautiful. I've been around this coast over the last 17 years and I just love the area. I used to sit outside with a gin and tonic and watch the sun set.'

Asked about the future, he said: 'I feel a bit more secure for now. If the council do pull their finger out and get some defence down, then I will feel more secure and so will the people behind me.'

A spokesman from the Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: 'The Borough Council has no record of any related application seeking consent for the works carried out and issued a Temporary Stop Notice, under the powers afforded by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

'The notice prohibits any further excavations or engineering operations on the affected land without the prior necessary approval of the Council.

'Whilst the Council appreciates the intention of the works is coastal protection, such engineering works cannot be undertaken without consent.

'People using Hemsby beach are asked to take care and to avoid walking in the immediate area of the works, given the uneven surfaces.'

Demolition workers bring down first of five clifftop homes on the brink of falling into the sea after severe erosion in coastal village

Diggers began demolishing the properties on the Norfolk coastline after the Beast from the East pummelled properties in May this year 

Workmen were deployed to start at 5.30am every day as they moved to demolish the houses that extreme weather had hit during this summer's storms 

The chalet homes are pictured in the immediate aftermath of this year's storms in May, when the erosion on the cliff-side left them teetering over the edge at risk of falling into the sea 

Vet Tweets He's Going To Kill Himself. Then James Woods Launches Effort To Save Him. (6 Pics)

On Monday night, actor James Woods went all-in to help save a suicidal veteran who had tweeted that he was going to kill himself. Although the vet deleted his tweets, a look at Woods’ tweets gives a pretty clear idea of the dialogue Woods initiated and Woods’ efforts to help keep the vet talking while Woods launched a search to find him. In the process, Woods showed his empathy by acknowledging that he, too, like most people, had experienced some depression at one time in his life, and encouraged the vet to hold on so that he could be an inspiration to other vets who experience the same feelings.

Woods' persistence may well have saved the vet's life. Here's how events unfolded:

USA Today reported:

Maitland Police Public Information Officer Lt. Louis Y. Grindle informed USA TODAY Tuesday morning that authorities were able to reach MacMasters, though his whereabouts are unknown."Our agency was able to make contact with him by phone earlier this morning, where he advised he was OK but did not wish to have contact with law enforcement," the emailed statement read. "Our officers are still working to try and physically locate him to determine his well-being."

Woods' father, Gail Peyton Woods, was an army intelligence officer. The protean actor's first film break came in the legendary director Elia Kazan's 1972 film, "The Visitor," in which Woods played a Vietnam veteran, a role that was the beginning of his long and storied career.

In September 2017, Woods tweeted, "So long as a single veteran is homeless, I'm only interested in spending tax $$ on the needs of American citizens. After that, we'll see.."

Stars and Stripes reported in June:

The VA released its newest National Suicide Data Report on Monday, which includes data from 2005 through 2015. Much in the report remained unchanged from two years ago, when the VA reported suicide statistics through 2014. Veteran suicide rates are still higher than the rest of the population, particularly among women.

In both reports, the VA said an average of 20 veterans succumbed to suicide every day. In its newest version, the VA was more specific. The report shows the total is 20.6 suicides every day. Of those, 16.8 were veterans and 3.8 were active-duty servicemembers, guardsmen and reservists, the report states. That amounts to 6,132 veterans and 1,387 servicemembers who died by suicide in one year. The VA's 2012 report stated 22 veterans succumbed to suicide every day – a number that’s still often cited incorrectly. That number also included active-duty troops, Guard and Reserve, VA Press Secretary Curt Cashour said Wednesday.

Acting VA Secretary Peter O’Rourke said in June, "Suicide remains a top clinical priority. One life lost to suicide is one too many. Suicide is a serious public health concern in the Veteran population and across all communities nationwide. These data offer important insights to help VA to build effective networks of support, communication and care that reach veterans where they live and thrive.”

'No man has a right to raise a hand to a woman. Period.' Husband of actress who claims Michael Avenatti dragged her across the floor and called her an 'ungrateful b***h' speaks out

Mareli Miniutti's apparently estranged husband Michael Miniutti told DailyMail.com 'No man has a right to raise a hand to a woman. Period.' Avenatti called the claims 'bogus' after her identity was revealed Monday

The New York-based husband of the actress who has filed a restraining order against Stormy Daniels' lawyers has spoken out.

Asked about Mareli Miniutti's claims that she was assaulted by Michael Avenatti, Michael Miniutti told DailyMail.com: 'No man has a right to raise a hand to a woman. Period.

Michael Avenatti's  accuser was revealed as Mareli Miniutti, an Estonian actress in her 20s who has appeared in the likes of Ocean's 8 and Chuck

Miniuitti, an Estonian actress, has claimed in a submitted declaration that Avenatti dragged her across his apartment floor and called her an 'ungrateful f***ing b***h,' The Blast reported. 

Asked if was still married to the actress, Mainiutti, Programme Director at Mansion House Consulting based in New York City,  responded, 'No comment.'

But his brother Brian Miniutti, confirmed to Dailymail.com that Michael was married to Mareli but was unclear about their current status.

'I honestly don't know what the status is on that.'

When asked if Mareli was still living with his brother in New York's Financial district, he said: 'to my knowledge she is not.'

He added: 'If I'm talking with him it's family stuff, not anything about her.'

Avenatti claims he will be 'fully exonerated' by a now-deleted Instagram post his accuser shared in the hours after he allegedly assaulted her.

Mareli, who appeared in the film Ocean's Eight, was revealed as the woman who claimed the lawyer, who represents Daniels in her legal battles against President Donald Trump, struck her.

Avenatti, 47, was booked for felony domestic assault after he allegedly struck the woman last Tuesday.  

Her face was 'swollen and bruised' with 'red marks' on both cheeks, law enforcement sources told TMZ.

According to her declaration, the two were at Avenatti's apartment on November 13 when they began to have an argument about money which quickly escalated after he called her an 'ungrateful f*cking b***h.' 

Avenatti then allegedly began hitting her in the face with pillows and pulled her out of bed, dragging her through the apartment in her underwear and into the hallway.

Miniutti filed the domestic violence restraining order against Avenatti in Los Angeles on Monday and a hearing has been set for December 10. 

According to outlet, the judge granted the temporary restraining order against Avenatti based on Miniutti's allegations in the filing. The two are scheduled for a hearing in December.

Avenatti hit back against the allegations on Monday, denying he struck the woman near his ritzy Los Angeles apartment and claimed he would be vindicated by video evidence. 

He claims his accuser had posted something on Instagram in the hours after the incident that showed her claims were 'bogus.'

Avenatti appears to be referring to videos posted on Minuitti's Instagram story - shared in the hours after Avenatti was taken into custody last Wednesday, according to HillReporter.

Laywer Michael Avenatti claims he will be 'fully exonerated' by a now-deleted Instagram post (above) his accuser, Mareli Miniutti shared in the hours after he allegedly assaulted her

They show a carefree Miniutti laughing and apparently bruise-free - although she may have concealed her injuries with make-up.

'People think they are so smart. Until they post stuff on IG that undercuts their bogus, fabricated claims they made less than 24 hrs earlier. We can't wait for justice!' Avenatti wrote on Twitter,

He also hit back at the claims on Monday, writing: 'I look forward to a full clearing of my name and disclosure of all of the facts. I have NEVER abused a woman or committed domestic violence against anyone.

'Any claim to the contrary is completely bogus and fabricated. I am a target. And I will be exonerated.' 

Miniutti portrayed Met Gala star Cassandra in Ocean's 8 and has other acting credits to her name including 2016's Liev Scriber flick Chuck, Forgetting Sandy Glass and How to Be Single, which starred funny woman Rebel Wilson.

In 2018 she's due to appear in Sargasso and Crypto with the likes of Kurt Russel, Luke Hemsworth and Alexis Bledel. 

Her Instagram bio tells visitors: 'Don't confuse Instagram for real life.'

She also began to remove images from her Facebook page Monday.

Avanatti's accuser was formerly reported to be his estranged wife, Lisa Storey-Avenatti. 

But the attorney's wife later released a statement saying she had not seen Avenatti in months, and that he would never be violent to a woman. 

'I have known Michael Avenatti for over 26 years we met when he was 21 years old and we were married for 13 years,' she tweeted after his arrest.

'Michael has ALWAYS been a kind loving father to our two daughters and husband to me. He has NEVER been abusive to me or anyone else. He is a good man.'

The attorney's fall from grace started shortly after with several people, including actress Alyssa Milano, disavowing him. 

First it was Milano who called the allegations 'totally disgusting' in a tweet.

'I'm disavowing Avenatti. I do not care what side he's on,' the Charmed actress said Wednesday.

Then it was the hosts from The View followed by Democrats in Vermont who pledged to disavow Avenatti if the allegations are true, along with his client Stormy Daniels who said she'll even consider getting a new lawyer.

Daniels also released a statement to DailyMail.com on Thursday, saying the allegations were 'serious and obviously very troubling'.

'But right now that is all they are: allegations,' she added. 'I do not condone violence against women and if these allegations prove true I will be seeking new representation.'

The Vermont Democratic Party canceled events planned for Friday and Saturday, where Avenatti was scheduled to speak, and is refunding ticket sales. He had expressed interested in being a candidate for the 2020 elections.

Since his November 15 arrest, Avenatti has denied the claims of domestic violence and even went so far to say that he was set up.

'I have never struck a woman, I never will strike a woman,' Avenatti told reporters Wednesday after being booked and posting $50,000 bail.

Avenatti said he has been an advocate for women's rights his entire career and is confident that he will be exonerated.

He also released a statement through his law firm slamming the allegation as 'completely bogus' and intended to harm his reputation. 

Sources told TMZ that Avenatti and the woman had a confrontation on the evening of November 13.

The unnamed woman was seen running out of the apartment and screaming into her cell phone while wearing sunglasses to conceal the alleged bruises on her face.

'I can't believe you did this to me,' she reportedly yelled into the phone.

Security guards then led the woman back inside the building, according to TMZ.

Five minutes later, Avenatti showed up and ran into the building, chasing after her.

'She hit me first,' Avenatti is reported to have said repeatedly. 'This is bulls***, this is f***ing bulls***.'

Avenatti claimed that his domestic violence arrest was a set up from the same man being investigated by the FBI for a smear campaign against Robert Mueller. 

'First Mueller and now me,' Avenatti tweeted on Thursday morning. 'When we are fully exonerated I am coming for you Jacob Wohl aka Surefire.'

Surefire's domain was connected to Wohl, 20, a right-wing conspiracy theorist. Wohl wrote a Gateway Pundit article claiming Mueller raped a woman in 2010.

Two women said the company offered to pay them to make false claims against him.

Seemingly boosting Avenatti's claims are the fact that Surefire's official Twitter account tweeted shortly after news of his arrest broke on Wednesday. 

'Surefire Intelligence strikes again,' read the tweet, which was replying to a headline that read: 'Michael Avenatti has been arrested for felony domestic violence and is currently in LAPD custody'.