Many dieters interested in starting the HCG diet plan often wonder if alcohol can be consumed while on the diet. Researchers are finding that certain types of alcohol, when consumed in moderate amounts, can prove beneficial to the body and mind. Recent research has found that certain wines are good for the heart and for the blood. Sometimes the occasional drink is good as a de-stressor too, although an individual definitely does not want to make this type of stress reduction a habit.

The HCG dieting does not advise the use of alcoholic beverages while on the diet. Nevertheless, it has been found by many HCG users that weight loss is still quite successful, even when the occasional alcoholic beverage is consumed. Alcohol consumption may slow down weight loss effects because the beverages are loaded with a lot of empty calories. If the beverages are mixed with sodas and other sugar filled mixers that only adds more to the caloric value of the drink, and the consumption of such beverages alters the sugar levels in the HCG dieter’s blood.

Interestingly, regular social drinkers and even somewhat heavy drinkers have found that the HCG diet helps to curb alcohol cravings. HCG is a hormone that directly affects the hypothalamus gland inside the human brain; this gland is the area of the brain that triggers emotional drinking and eating. Thus, simply being on the HCG dieting plan can help the dieter keep alcohol consumption at moderate levels. In addition, those who do consume alcoholic beverages while partaking of the HCG diet plan find that smaller amounts of alcohol lead to a euphoric sensation or the feeling of being intoxicated.

One common drink that is permitted while using the HCG diet is a drink consisting of orange juice and vodka or mineral water and vodka with a hint of lemon. Again, this drink is to be consumed occasionally and in moderation, but a single drink does not seem to have any lasting effect on the dieter’s ability to drop excessive pounds. Once the HCG diet plan is finished and the dieter works on lifelong maintenance, it becomes acceptable to consume a single glass of wine on a daily basis for its health benefits. This practice begins only after the HCG dieter has ceased using the HCG shot or oral HCG as a dieting aid on a daily basis.

Consuming alcohol that has a high sugar content is never recommended on the HCG diet. You can consume some alcohol on the diet, but the less you consume the better off you will be. Keep your drinking to moderate levels and you can still achieve weight loss success on the HCG diet plan.