Say Goodbye to Bad Breath on the HCG Diet

Are you on the HCG diet and experiencing bad breath? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Bad breath is a common side effect of the HCG diet and can be caused by a variety of factors, including dehydration, ketosis, and poor oral hygiene.

Causes of bad breath on the HCG diet

1. Dehydration

One of the most common causes of bad breath on the HCG diet is dehydration. When you’re following a low-calorie diet, it can be easy to forget to drink enough water, which can lead to dry mouth and bad breath.

In addition, the HCG hormone itself can cause dehydration, as it increases urine output. To combat dehydration and bad breath, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, aiming for at least 8-10 glasses per day.

2. Ketosis

Another cause of bad breath on the HCG diet is ketosis. Ketosis, a metabolic state occurs when your body is burning fat for fuel instead of glucose. While this is a desirable state for weight loss on the HCG diet, it can also cause a fruity or acetone-like smell on your breath.

To reduce the effects of ketosis and bad breath, try eating more alkaline foods such as leafy greens, cucumbers, and broccoli. These foods can help to balance the pH level in your mouth and reduce the odor of your breath.

3. Poor oral hygiene

Poor oral hygiene is another common cause of bad breath on the HCG diet. When you’re following a low-calorie diet, it can be easy to forget to brush and floss regularly.

However, poor oral hygiene can lead to the buildup of bacteria in your mouth, which can cause bad breath. To keep your breath fresh, be sure to brush and floss twice a day, and consider using a tongue scraper to remove any bacteria from your tongue.

How to Fight Bad Breath While Dieting?

1. Drinking more water. Since ketones are released into your saliva when you burn fat, one way to freshen your breath while dieting is to dilute your saliva by drinking lots of water. Having too little water leads to food and bacteria stuck in your mouth, which causes your breath to smell. 
2. Use natural breath fresheners. There are some natural breath fresheners that not only mask the smell but also kill the bacteria that cause bad breath.  A good example of this is eating parsley, which has chlorophyll to kill bad breath bacteria, and it also has a delightfully fresh scent to mask the remaining smell. 
3. Fix your pH levels. The foods you eat directly affect your stomach’s pH levels. When you eat foods that have high amounts of acid, you’ll develop some wicked bad breath. To avoid bad breath, consume more alkaline foods including lentils, beans, milk, kale, tofu and celery. Drinking extra water will also balance your pH levels.

Other Tips to Fight Bad Breath During the HCG Diet

-Rinse out your mouth with plain mouthwash. Do not use any flavored mouthwashes as they may contain artificial sweeteners, that could slow down your weight loss.

-Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are all great ways to keep your mouth healthy and clean.

-Avoid indoor or outdoor sun exposure because it causes water retention and stalls or slows weight loss.

-Brush your teeth throughout the day. Especially upon waking and after a meal. 

-Eat slower to give time your body to react to the food in your belly, telling your brain you are full quicker.

-Add Peppermint Stevia to your drinks. Since peppermint stevia is a natural and calorie-free ingredient, it’s permitted on HCG P2. You can add a few drops of peppermint stevia to hot water or tea to enjoy a refreshing and minty beverage that may aid in freshening up your breath.

-Do not drink flavored coffee while on Phase 2 of the HCG Diet, it can slow or stall your weight loss.

What Foods Contribute to Bad Breath?

1. Garlic. It can leave its sulfuric mark on more than just your tongue. Try to minimize garlic in your diet or you can also brush and floss after eating. 
2. Onions. Similar to garlic, the odor of onions lingers long after you eat.  Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are the extra defense against bad breath.
3. Dairy. The naturally occurring bacteria from your tongue feed on the amino acids in dairies resulting in an odor that is foul and unattractive.
4. Canned tuna. In some way, storing seafood in a dark, metallic container exacerbates the process of it becoming sour-smelling and rank as it oxidizes.
5. Horseradish. The chemical ingredient of this plant gives distinct flavor and scent in cocktail dressings, and sauces. However, overconsumption may lead to unpleasant breath.

List of food That Fights Bad Breath

• Raw fruits and vegetables
• Probiotic yogurt (allowed for phase 1)
• Parsley and basil
• Cherries
• Green tea (sugar-free)
• Sugar-free gum
• Melons (skip this during phase 2)
• Citrus fruits 
• Ginger
• Lemon juice 
• Warm water