The HCG weight loss cure is known for its emphasis on natural weight loss, which is prompted by restoring the body’s hormonal balance and a diet that emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods. Of course, a major part of the plan is the very low-calorie diet (VLCD), which limits calories to 500 per day. In this plan, there is very little room for sugar, honey, or even the dreaded high-fructose corn syrup as a sweetener, as they pack a huge caloric punch.
So how can you fix your cravings for sweets while on the plan? Are artificial sweeteners allowed?
Artificial Sweeteners and the Protocol
According to Dr. Simeons’ observations, we are all born with a reserve of the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone. Over time, this supply is eroded by chemicals in our food and in our environment. Therefore, when you start the protocol, you increase your levels of the hormone by taking oral HCG and by eating a diet that is free of processed foods and chemicals. It is counterproductive to try to increase your hormones with a supplement, only to eat the very foods that erode that hormone from your body.
For this reason, artificial sweeteners are forbidden on the plan. Aspartame, saccharine, and sucralose are all chemically created sugar substitutes. While it is not known if these chemicals are directly to blame for eroding your supply of the hormone, they are questionable enough that they are not recommended for consumption on any phase of the plan.
In addition, unrefined sugars such as cane sugar, corn syrup, and honey are not recommended on the program either. These have a huge amount of calories per serving. In the case of corn syrup, they can be highly processed as well.
Stevia and the Protocol
At this time, if you are jonesing for sweetness but need to stay with the Protocol, the only sweetener allowed is stevia. Stevia is an herbal supplement derived from the leaves of a genus of sunflowers in South America. It has been used as a sweetener in several cultures for thousands of years. It was first made available in the United States in the mid-1990s as an herbal supplement. Now it can be found as a sweetener in your local grocery store.
Stevia is nearly 300 times sweeter than sugar, so you need only a tiny amount to pack the same sweet kick in your herbal teas or decaf coffee. It can be just the thing to keep you on track with your weight loss and still satisfy your sweet tooth.