Nowhere in the HCG diet protocol says you can’t have salt in your diet. The manuscript says that:
“Though we allow the free use of salt, the daily amount taken should be roughly the same, as a sudden increase will, of course, be followed by a corresponding increase in weight as shown by the scale.
An increase in the intake of salt is one of the most common causes for an increase in weight from one day to the next. Such an increase can be ignored, provided it is accounted for, it in no way influences the regular loss of fat.”
Clear and simple! You can consume salt every day and that’s a good thing. But too much of a good thing can have a negative effect on your body. Salt can be one sneaky devil when consumed in high amount. Too much salt can lead to heart disease, kidney disease and high blood pressure.
Salt is also the number 1 culprit in water retention. We all know what excess water can do. It adds up the number on the scale! Water retention is a terrible feeling. It can make you feel sluggish, slow and overweight. And because you feel overweight your overall feeling of wellness is affected. It’s even more frustrating if you are trying to lose weight.
You can use salt while on the HCG diet provided that you keep it low. When you reduce the amount of salt intake you are also releasing some your water weight. Here are some of the salt-cutting tips that can help you lose your water weight.
- Avoid processed foods. Anything in the box and bag is high in salt. Frozen dinners are loaded with extra salt.
- Read the labels. Look for products with less than 140 mg of salt per serving.
- Use herbs to spice up your foods instead of adding more salt.
- Choose fresh veggies over canned one.
- Avoid eating at fast foods. The meals serve contains more than the recommended amount of salt per serving.
- Drink plenty of water to flush out excess water.
- Eat a balanced diet which includes lean meat, fruits and veggies. Fruits rich in potassium can regulate fluid levels and helps relieve water retention. HCG approved veggies like lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes are a natural diuretics that will help you get rid of excess water. Natural diuretic drinks like tea and coffee can also help.