Proper nutrition and hydration are vital during this time of outbreak whether you are on or off the HCG Diet. A well-balanced diet is particularly crucial in times when you need your immune system to fight back. Eating varieties of fresh and unprocessed foods every day can help you get the necessary nutrients needed for a healthier immune system.
Eat fresh foods every day
- Eat vegetables like bean and green leafy veggies; fruits like berries, citrus foods to boost your immune system. Fruits and veggies provide a steady stream of vitamin A and C. Whole grains and nuts like oats, brown rice, and unprocessed maize; starchy roots in moderation like potatoes, yam, taro, and cassava. As much as possible avoid processed foods.
- Dairy products like eggs and milk are good sources of vitamin D. While fresh meat, seafood, and nuts are loaded with protein and other essential nutrients are known to provide immune support.
- Eat at least 2 cups of fruits a day or 4 servings, 2 ½ cups of veggies or 5 servings, 180 grams of grains (choose grains with lesser carbs), and 160 grams of protein choices a day. However, if you are still on the HCG diet, stick to the protocol. Continue following the very low calorie diet. You can increase your calories gradually once you are on the maintenance phase already.
- Choose fresh fruits and raw veggies for snacks rather than foods loaded with fat, salt or sugar. You can eat fruits with unsweetened Greek yogurt, or raw veggies with your favorite dressing.
- Do not overcook the veggies as this can lead to loss of nutrients.
- When using dried or canned veggies and fruits, choose those without added sugar or salt.
- With 70% of immunity being in the gut, it’s the best time to keep your healthy bacteria in the gut thriving with probiotics. Foods like kefir and yogurt can help keep the bacteria thriving and supporting your immune system. Yogurt is one of the HCG diet-approved foods that you can have. You can have yogurt at any phase as a snack or as an additional protein source.
- Avoid fat, sugar, and salt as these can greatly contribute to various health issues to name like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. These foods will also increase your risk of gaining weight and eventually start back with where you begin.
Eat less sugar and salt
- Limit the amount of salt and high sodium condiments like soy sauce and fish sauce when cooking and preparing foods.
- Your salt intake must be less than 5 grams or approximately 1 teaspoon in a day.
- Remember that eating a lot of salt can cause your body to retain water and these can show up on your weighing scale. Not only that, but higher salt intake can lead to weight gain by driving fatty food intake.
- Avoid drinks that are high in sugars like concentrated fruit juices, flavored milk, flavored yogurts, and sodas.
- Instead of choosing cookies, chocolates, and cakes for snacks choose fresh fruits or a handful of snacks.
Use oil and fat in moderation
- Avoid processed meat because they are high in salt and oil.
- Opt for low-fat milk and dairy products when possible.
- Choose white meat over red meat. White meat like poultry (chicken and turkey) has a leaner source of protein with lower fat content. While red meat like pork, lamb, and beef contains higher fat but also high in iron, zinc and B vitamins.
- It’s good to include a small amount of red and white meat in your diet. For red meat, choose the leaner cuts like tenderloin and sirloin. Trim all visible fats around the edge to reduce fat intake.
- When grilling your meat, avoid charring. High-temperature cooking can form a carcinogenic compound in the meat.
Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated
- Water is essential whether you are on or off the HCG diet. It’s even more crucial to keep yourself hydrated in this time of an outbreak. Staying hydrated is one key weapon in the fight against the pandemic. It boosts your body’s first line of defense against the virus.
- Water helps oxygenate your cells. With enough oxygen, your cells will work at their full capacity, which helps them guard your body against the virus.
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water each day.
- You can also consume other drinks, fruits, and vegetable that contains water like lemon juice sweetened with Stevia, coffee, or tea. You can have unlimited cups of tea and coffee while on the HCG diet but be careful not to consume too much caffeine.
- Avoid concentrated fruit juices for they contain sugar.
Be active, move your body
- For optimum health, it is also vital to remain physically active. Just do something. Get out of your chair or sofa at least once an hour.
- Exercise can counter the negative effects of isolation and confinement stress.
- A short break from sitting by doing a 3-5 minute physical movement such as stretching and walking will help ease muscle strain, improve blood circulation, and relieve mental tension.
- It is paramount to find creative ways to exercise while observing proper hygienic countermeasures and social distancing. If you go for a walk on open space practice physical distancing. Wash your hands with soap and water before you leave the house and as soon as you get home.
- Remember that a walk a day may keep the virus away, or at least keep it from killing you.