Cheating on the hCG Diet

Before you decide to cheat while on the hCG diet, make sure you're in a regular pattern of losing weight with your hCG drops. Cheating during a plateau can worsen things for you!

When Dr. Simeons came up with the hCG diet plan, perhaps he did not know that it would develop into such a rage. He conceived the diet by combining hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone along with a low-calorie food intake.

Now, it so happens that during the course of the diet, there are tempting situations for dieters where they might not follow the protocol. Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, or a wedding feast, for instance, can lead to this situation.

Many people might have experienced that they lose weight quickly in the first week which then slows down in the second week. Hence, it is advisable to wait for the first two weeks before you think of cheating on your diet.

hCG is a naturally occurring hormone that is produced by the placenta when a woman is pregnant. The hCG diet, which is followed for a period of three to six weeks, involves injecting this hormone in your body for the purpose of weight loss. This is usually paired with a low-calorie diet.

Whether the weight loss occurs due to the hormone, or the low-calorie consumption is still a debatable issue. The hormone is given either through an injection, or through homeopathic medicines. The menu plan recommends high intake of protein and low intake of starch, fatty foods, and carbs. Sugary foods, alcohol, and dairy products are strictly not allowed.

Cheating on the diet will affect your weight loss results. To what extent it affects the results depends largely on what food items you are cheating with, and how much you are cheating.

If you cheat on the diet with fruits or veggies, once in a while, there is not much difference that will be seen on the weighing scale. However, if you cheat with fatty, high-calorie foods, such as cheese burgers, pizzas, and desserts, chances are you would have put your entire efforts in vain.

If you just have to cheat, following are a few safe ways to do so.

• Eating an extra serving of fruits or veggies is an option.
• When eating out, choose the lowest-calorie option. The next day after the cheat, eat only six apples throughout the day. No beverages except water are allowed on this day.

• Have one serving of that forbidden foodstuff. Don't indulge in a lot of it; just savor it. The next morning, check your weight. If you haven't gained anything, you might have just found out a food item that can aid you in cheating. However, make sure you don't overdo it or do it often, else your weight loss results might go for a toss.

• Another trick in the book to cheat is to sip on lemon-flavored seltzer water. This drink keeps you full due to the carbonation, while flavor-wise, it imparts a much-needed tanginess.
• Sugar-free candies can be a blessing to those with a sweet tooth. But make sure it's low on fat. Don't indulge in too much, or else you'll increase your weight. 

• Dry roasted almonds are for those who're fond of nuts. Remember to nibble on them while you are doing your work; do not gorge on a handful. It is pretty filling and will let your mind think that you are having a snack.
• You can also cheat using sugar-free jello, cottage cheese, watermelon, mixed veggies, whole-wheat crackers, and turkey.

Although these food items are restricted during the diet, a few individuals have reported to have lost weight even after having cheated on these items. The same may not be the case with everyone though.

So, what next? You have already cheated. The damage has already been done, and you cannot undo it. So, what should you do now? Should you quit altogether? No. There are a few ways to get back on track.

● Move on
Please do not drown yourself in a pool of guilt. It happens; avoid troubling yourself up too much for this. You need not freak out; just admit, and accept the mistake to yourself, and move on. Whatever happens, do not give up entirely on the diet plan.

● Burn it All
Yes, your morale is bound to be down, but get up, get going, and pump in more exercise. This will help you get rid of the extra calories, and it will relax your mind too. Walk a few extra miles, every time you walk in the day.

● D for Discipline
Put your mind on the diet, and make sure that you get back on track with determination. Start adhering to the protocol: stick to the 500-calorie-a-day norm, and consume only hCG diet food items. Be disciplined this time.

● Water, Water, and Water
Drink as much water as possible. It will help flush out toxins, and help in the release of extra water content in your body.

● Detox
Try a one-day detox the very next day after you cheat, by either having lime juice or six apples for one complete day, or take a detox bath.

In conclusion, we feel that you should try to refrain from cheating altogether. And if you just have to cheat, it is best to stick to healthier, similar options to that advised in the diet plan. After all, you do not want all that money you are investing to go to waste, do you?

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by a nutritionist/dietitian on the subject.