
NEVER Eat These 5 Foods When Sick
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
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...
Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]
Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...
Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry
Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...