NEVER Eat These 5 Foods When Sick
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted January 8, 2019
You feel awful.
You’re coughing… your muscles are sore… and you’ve got sinus pressure that just won’t quit.
You’ve caught the latest bug. And all you want is a grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of chicken noodle soup.
But the truth is, some comfort foods won’t give you any comfort at all.
In fact, they can make your cold last longer… and feel WORSE.
Let me show you.
When you are sick, there are five foods you want to avoid:
#1 Refined Sugar: Bacteria love sugar. So when you have a cold, it’s best to starve off invading bacteria by cutting off their sugar supply. And the best way to do that is to completely remove refined sugar from your diet, including sugary sports drinks and throat lozenges.
#2 Canned Soup: Most canned soups are not good for you. Despite your mom’s advice to eat chicken soup (which is good advice), canned soups are high in sugars and artificial flavors. If you’re able, make your own chicken soups or pick up organic bone broths from your local health food store.
#3 Junk Food: Junk foods like processed cookies, chips, and other packaged foods are full of trans fats and sugars that increase inflammation, make you feel bad, and delay your healing.
#4 Dairy Foods: I generally like dairy foods (if you can tolerate them), but they tend to increase phlegm which can be food for bacteria.
#5 Chocolate: Chocolate is great for your heart and brain health, but it’s not so great when you’ve got a cold. Chocolate contains caffeine and other brain-stimulating compounds that can keep you from getting the rest your body needs to recover.
Additionally, you should stay away from alcohol when you’re under the weather. A hot toddy may seem like the perfect thing to calm your cough down and help you get some sleep, but alcohol can dehydrate you and helps that nasty bugs flourish.
Now we know what to avoid, why don’t we add a few things in:
Dr. Scott’s Anti-Flu Program:
- Eat Well: I like to include lots of garlic and onions in my food during flu season. Onions and garlic have long been used for their healing properties, and they are a tasty addition to any meal (especially soups). Many herbs and vitamins can help your immune system; make sure you get enough of them as well.
- Vitamin D: Starting in November, I start taking 3,000-5,000 IUs of Vitamin D every day. Even though I still get outside in winter, my body needs more Vitamin D.
- Berberine, Turmeric, and Olive leaf: These herbs help to give your immune system the boost it needs to help kick the flu out the door.
Probiotic/Polyphenols: There is a ton of research on probiotics and immunity. I take my probiotic in a super-food blend, so I get both gut health and the added antioxidant power of plant foods.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Key Facts to Consider BEFORE Trying Marijuana
Lately, I’ve had a lot of people ask me if marijuana is safe, and my answer always is, “It depends…” You may have lived through the wild days of the 60s and 70s and even experimented with a little weed back then. But the marijuana of today is NOT the same mellow grass you remember....
MAILBAG: Decoding Chest Pain and Breathlessness During Activity
“I’ve been having chest pain and shortness of breath when I’m active. Could this be a sign of a heart problem? What tests should I undergo to determine if there’s an issue?” -Paul Hi Paul, Regardless of past heart history, I always advise folks to seek medical help immediately if they experience concerning symptoms, including...
The Surprising Key to SURVIVING a Stroke
Imagine you’re going about your day when, suddenly, your world turns upside down. Your vision blurs, your speech slurs, and you feel a weakness in your arm. You’re having a stroke. It’s a terrifying experience that far too many of us have faced. And if you’re lucky enough to survive, the fear of another stroke...
The Deadly Truth About Sleep Apnea REVEALED
Where do you put sleep on your priorities list? It should rank pretty high for everyone, but if you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it’s time to make it one of your TOP priorities. After all, the alarming results of the latest OSA research make it clear that quality sleep is truly a matter of...
Mistakes that Make Seasonal Allergies WORSE
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know how miserable they can make you feel. Common irritants, such as mold spores, dust mites, pet dander, air pollution, and strong odors, can make your symptoms go from bad to worse. You can avoid some of these triggers, and you have no control over others. Either way,...
The Hidden Dangers of Fried Foods
It’s no wonder French fries are so popular. They’re crispy, salty, and oh-so-satisfying. As a matter of fact, as I wrote the words “crispy” and “salty” just now, my mouth watered. I’m only human, after all. But brace yourself—because what I’m about to share will make you think twice before diving into your next serving...
Losing Your Locks? The SURPRISING Solution
There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Losing your hair sucks. The hit to your self-esteem is no joke. You might even find yourself avoiding mirrors and hoarding hats. The treatment options are limited, often come with a laundry list of side effects, and deliver results that are about as predictable as a coin flip. It’s...
REAL Drug-Free Back Pain Relief
Recently, I’ve had several exasperated people ask me, “Is back pain something I just have to live with?” I battled chronic back pain for years, so I completely understand why some folks feel so hopeless about finding relief. In fact, I used to think I was doomed to a life of pain and limitations, too....
Mailbag: When to Worry About Memory Lapses
“I’ve been experiencing some memory lapses recently, and I’m worried it might be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. My mother also had it. What symptoms should I look out for?” – Ann Hi Ann, It’s important to recognize that some degree of memory loss is a normal part of life. Our brains constantly process and...
The Unforeseen Link Between Your Gut and Your Waistline
As the weather warms up and summer approaches, many of us start thinking about shedding those extra pounds… We dust off our gym memberships, stock up on salad greens, and vow to finally fit into those shorts from last year. But what if I told you that the key to achieving a healthy weight might...