When on the hCG Diet people often complain of being constipated or experiencing constipation. I think there are a few misconceptions about constipation in general. And NO, the hCG diet doesn’t cause constipation.

To understand constipation lets first understand what food is to the body. Simply put, food is fuel. Everything you take in, the body most efficiently utilizes the food. Food can be used for the energy you expend, to repair and restore your body, it can be stored for later (FAT), or expelled as waste.

If you are on a 500-calorie diet, your body is more than likely utilizing the majority of the calories you are taking in for repairing, restoring, and energy. Remember the hCG is supplying the majority of energy by releasing the stored fat and there is very little the body is now wasting while on the hCG diet. Thus, there will be very little bowel movement.

Now let’s look at the medical definition of constipation and causes.

Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to eliminate. Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often experience straining, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel.

• Not enough fiber in the diet
• Lack of physical activity (especially in the elderly)
• Medications
• Milk
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Changes in life or routine such as pregnancy, aging, and travel
• Abuse of laxatives
• Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
• Dehydration
• Specific diseases or conditions, such as stroke (most common)
• Problems with the colon and rectum
• Problems with intestinal function (chronic idiopathic constipation)

The hCG diet doesn’t cause you constipation and being on the diet doesn’t mean you will automatically experience constipation. If you are having bowel movements that are 3-4 days apart but you are not straining, your stool is not dry or hard, and you are not having a difficult time eliminating, you are probably not constipated. Your body is just using the food/fuel more efficiently then you were previously accustomed to on a high calorie diet.

Think of it this way, if you feed your body better fuel, you will have less waste, if you feed your body junk fuel, your body will have more waste because you are giving your body foods it cannot use.

If you are truly experiencing constipation on the hCG diet as described above and need relief here are some common ‘cures’ to get you moving .

• Water
• >Miracle Noodles aka fiber
• Colonix
• Smooth Move Tea
• Laxatives
• Stool softeners

To avoid becoming constipated on the hCG diet, make sure you are drinking 2 liters of water daily and get your Miracle Noodles in!

Hope this clears things up!