Conquer Colds and Flu with the HCG Diet
Sadly, there is no way to avoid succumbing to the common cold or worse, flu, on occasion. If you are lucky, you might be struck down only once during the cold season, but if your immune system is low, you could easily suffer from more than one bad cold or dose of flu. But as unpleasant as these viral illnesses are under normal circumstances, what is the best way to deal with the symptoms whilst on the HCG diet?
Under normal circumstances, you would probably take some over-the-counter medication to help the symptoms of a cold or flu, but if you are on the HCG diet, you need to be aware that many of these pills and medicines are unsuitable due to the high sugar levels they contain.
What can I do if I fall ill during the HCG diet?
If you are unlucky enough to get sick while following the HCG diet plan, do not be tempted to resort to over-the-counter remedies to alleviate your symptoms—try a few natural remedies instead.
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Garlic—it worked for Dracula, so it can definitely help you as well! It might smell pungent, but chew it, chop it up, or take it as a capsule and you can benefit from its natural antibacterial properties.
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Ginger—make some natural spicy ginger tea using one tablespoon of chopped ginger root. Add some lemon and drink up to three cups three times per day to ease the symptoms of arthritis, sickness and inflammation.
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Vitamin C is very useful for a large number of ailments, including the common cold, and there are lots of fruits and vegetables packed full of vitamin C that come recommended on the HCG diet, including oranges, strawberries, cabbage, tomatoes, and leafy green vegetables.
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Licorice is a very effective antiviral and anti-inflammatory. Like elderberry, it must be avoided during the low calorie phase of the HCG diet, but you can make licorice infusion tea during the maintenance phase, although be careful to check there is no extra sugar or starches in the licorice.
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Elderberry is a natural remedy for colds and flu, although you cannot eat elderberries during the low calorie diet phase of the HCG diet. However, you can take elderberry tea during the maintenance phase of the HCG diet, and this is by far the most effective way of utilizing the properties of elderberries.
However, prevention is always better than a cure, so instead of waiting until you have been afflicted with a bad cold, follow a few simple tips and limit your chances of catching a viral cold or flu infection.
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Avoid sick people—you are more likely to catch bugs when in close contact with those who are already sick
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Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables—citrus fruits contain plenty of vitamin C to boost your immune system
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Wash your hands frequently—particularly when using public transport
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Exercise regularly—yoga, walking, swimming, and cycling are good forms of exercise whilst on the HCG diet
