A loss of sleep is the absolute last thing that you want to deal with while on a calorie-restricted diet like hCG. And yet, the very nature of these rapid weight loss plans seems to cause moderate to severe leg cramping that can totally ruin a restful night’s sleep. This is one of the most unfortunate catch-22’s of the hCG diet, and certainly one of the most infuriating.

Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to alleviate the symptoms, so your body can get the rest it needs to keep burning fact effectively

Q: Why Are My Legs Cramping on the HCG Diet Plan?

Not everyone experiences leg cramps while on hCG, but those of us that do tend to get it pretty bad. As it turns out, this is a fairly common side-effect of low-carb dieting, and nothing that should be worried about. But the pain and lack of sleep caused by these cramps can be debilitating. It might even cause some people to abandon their diets and return to their old ways.

Five Potential Cures for Diet-Related Leg Cramping

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of leg cramps, simply because there are a number of different issues that have been linked to them. One of the best ways to figure it out is to look over the following list and eliminate the possibilities one by one.

1.) Take a Magnesium Supplement

Adding some magnesium to the diet is one of the most oft-praise cures to leg cramps. This is true whether or not one is on a low-carb diet.

Some easy ways to increase your magnesium is by taking a supplement, absorbing through the skin with an Epsom salt bath, or drinking it via a specially formulated mineral water.

2.) Increase Your Salt Intake

Most people who are trying to lose weight will already know that too much salt can lead to extreme water & weight retention. But when you are on a calorie restricted diet like hCG, you tend to eat far less salt than your body is used to. The result is a sudden electrolyte imbalance that can lead to severe craps.

Solutions for sodium depletion can be as simple as adding a bit more salt to your lunch. A pinch of salt in your morning coffee might sound strange, but it can actually make it tase quite wonderful. Some high-intensity athletes swear by drinking pickle juice for hot days. Salt is salt, just make sure you have it in you.

3.) Eat More Potassium

Just like salt and magnesium, a lack of potassium in the body can lead to a wild electrolyte imbalance. Cramps, muscle twitches, and rapid heartbeats have all been directly linked to low potassium levels in the past.

Increasing your intake of foods like Swiss chard, avocado, and cooked spinach even a little bit can boost your potassium level quite drastically.

4.) DRINK MORE WATER

We add this piece of advice to almost every hCG guide that we create. Not only is high water consumption a great way to fend off hunger pangs, but it can also help prevent muscular issues like cramps and twitches caused by dehydration.

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Remember: you should always be careful with supplements, whether it’s magnesium, sodium, or potassium. Be sure to check the recommended daily values and start with a small dose. 1/3 the recommended dose is a good place to start to stay safe.