Are you struggling with constipation on the HCG Diet? This is one of the most commonly asked questions among people on the HCG Diet. Constipation is one of the side effects while on the HCG diet only if you have not been doing the diet properly.
What is constipation?
Constipation is a condition characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stools. It’s a very common condition that affects all people of all ages. It is generally described as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week. Constipation can cause your stool to be lumpy and hard as well as unusually small or large. Many people experience constipation for a short time but there are those whose condition are chronic and causes a lot of pain and discomfort and affects the quality of life.
Constipation on the HCG Diet: Is it normal?
You may notice that your bowel movement is starting to become irregular while on the HCG Diet and consuming only 500 calories a day. There are times when you will have far fewer bowel movements or none at all. Although this may sound uncomfortable and alarming at times rest assured having constipation on the HCG Diet is pretty normal.
Constipation on the HCG Diet is not only typical but it is expected. According to Dr. Simeon, constipation on the HCG food plan is the most common side effects. “Everyone has the tendency to be constipated but the HCG food plan will be more likely make to it worse. It may even occur regardless of whether you have had this problem before. There are many reasons for constipation including lack of fruits and fiber from grain products in foods and not enough water intakes”.
On the HCG Diet, the amount of foods you consumed each day is very small. Naturally, not a lot of waste is produced by your body. Because you are only eating 500 calories a day, your bowel movement tends to slow down. In simple words: not much in, not much out. Remember that any decrease in food intake leads to a longer time for the foods in the stomach and intestine to move. There will also be a decrease in motility of the colon which causes more time for water absorption leading to even further constipation as the stool becomes dry and hard.
However, every dieter is different but for most, they aren’t going to experience the same bowel habits they had before starting the HCG Diet. Everything you eat now has completely changed therefore it is completely normal not to have a bowel movement for several days on the HCG Diet even if you are the type of person who has a bowel movement every day.
Useful constipation remedies on the HCG Diet
With constipation comes discomfort and sometimes stomach pain. Below are a few useful remedies you can do to help with constipation on the HCG Diet.
- Foods to help with your constipation
Choose your foods wisely if you are constipated. One of the simplest ways to deal with constipation is to eat a large amount of green vegetables. From the book Pounds and Inches, “at least 3 cups of salad are suggested. However, the pale-green iceberg lettuce does not have much fiber in it. Try dark green vegetables including steamed vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and asparagus. These later vegetables have much more fiber and also lead to more fullness. Increasing your food will also help”.
Stick with fiber-rich foods like spinach, asparagus, and broccoli. You can also try eating cabbages and apples or mixed up your foods a little bit if you don’t want to eat the same foods twice a day.
- Liquids to help with your constipation
The required amount of liquid to take is 2 liters a day. It’s not only important to keep your body hydrated and to flush out excess sodium and toxins but it also plays a vital role in keeping your stool soft during the diet.
Fiber-rich food is a great constipation reliever but the fiber is not the only thing you need to get a frequent bowel movement. You must also drink a sufficient amount of water to prevent these “bulky-in-nature” foods from storing in your digestive system. Drinking an adequate amount of water will help keep your feces soft and thus help move things along, so to speak.
You can also try Smooth Move Tea which you can purchase readily at most health food store or grocery store. Have one glass at night before bedtime and you should have a bowel movement the next morning.
Still, having some constipation issue?
According to Dr. Simeons, most HCG dieters have no need for bowel stimulants but if you have been constipated for over 4 days, it’s time to take some laxatives. However, remember that most bowel stimulants can cause weight loss fluctuations because of added ingredients, usually sugar, that is not allowed on the HCG Diet protocol. So, it’s best to stay away from bowel stimulants and try any of the following:
- Magnesium is a supplement that can relax your bowels and provide a laxative effect. It is an osmotic laxative that relaxes your bowels and pulls water into your intestine. The water will help soften up your stool making it easier to pass.
- Probiotics are live bacteria that enhance the gut microbiome which helps regulate inflammation, heart health, immune function, and digestion.
In extreme cases, more potent medication such as Miralax is available over-the-counter. However, you can only use this as a last resort. You may also want to consider colon cleansing from time to time to help give your system a clean slate to get rid of any waste out of your body.