hCG Diet Plan

The abbreviation hCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. hCG controls the metabolic function through hypothalamus, throughout pregnancy. hCG diet plan is one of the popular weight loss programs that includes hCG shots for weight loss and a 500 calorie diet. The hCG used in the hCG diet protocols is different from the hCG used for fertility treatments. All hCG employed in medical treatments is natural, but it is produced in laboratories from sterile cells. It is a common misconception that hCG is extracted from women or animal urine.

hCG Diet Phases

First Phase ~ Two Loading Days: The hCG diet was originally introduced by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons. In his “Pounds and Inches”, he has described what he expected in a hCG diet. The diet plan is divided into three phases. The first phase consists of two loading days. For the first two days, you are expected to eat a very high-fat diet (1500 – 2000 calories) and start your daily dose of 60 hCG drops (the quantity may vary from person to person, depending upon the type of hCG used, weight loss goal, overall health, age, etc.). You are supposed to overstock your cells with fat, so that they will not go into starvation mode during the next low-calorie stage. You should consume food rich in ‘good’ fat during the first stage of the diet.

Second Phase ~ Very Low calorie Diet: The second important phase is known as VLCD, very low-calorie diet (500 calories a day diet). During this phase, you are supposed to follow a very strict diet plan, with a limited list of foods from the protein, vegetable, and fruit groups. This phase lasts anywhere from 21 to 40 days (on hCG drops). The duration of this phase varies according to the desired weight loss goal. Oral hCG or hCG injections, both are equally beneficial. For the last three days, the diet is maintained but hCG is stopped. This helps to take all the hCG out of the body and thus makes the body ready for the next stage of the hCG protocol.

Third Phase ~ Stabilization: The third and the last phase is known as the ‘stabilization phase’, as it helps stabilize the body’s metabolic rate for the new weight. For 21 days after VLCD, you need to avoid sugar and starch, only that obtained from specific fruits and vegetables is considered okay. You are expected to consume about 1500 calories per day. The calories can come from protein, vegetables, and fruit, but there should be a wider variety of choices than during the VLCD stage. You are supposed to eat organic healthy food during this stage.

No medicines or cosmetics other than lipstick, eyebrow pencil and talcum powder are allowed during hCG diet plan phases. Aspirin and birth control pills are allowed. You cannot enjoy massage of any kind; when on diet. Some people find the diet plan easy as it doesn’t need exercise to be successful. Some are asked to repeat the diet plan with another round, if necessary. They should take six weeks off, eat normally (but no sugar and starch) and then resume phase 2. If they still need to repeat the plan, they should take eight weeks off and then resume phase 2.

hCG Diet Menu

Beverages: You can have organic tea or coffee without milk, plain water or mineral water in any quantity and at all times.

Fruits: You may eat a fruit or some bread sticks between the meals, instead of having them with lunch or dinner. Apple, grapefruit, or a cup of strawberries are allowed as long as they are organic.

Seasoning: According to Dr. Simeon’s original menu, salt, pepper, vinegar, mustard powder, garlic, sweet basil, parsley, thyme, majoram, etc., are allowed for seasoning, but no oil, butter or dressing is allowed.

Fish and Meat: For lunch and dinner, you can eat certain proteins and vegetables. You are supposed to get protein from organic fed beef or veal, organic skinless chicken breast, and certain types of fish which are low in mercury.

Vegetables: Spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, and celery are some of the vegetables that you can have for lunch or dinner. Remember, you are allowed to eat only one kind of vegetable during a meal. No oil or fats should be used to cook the vegetables. You may have boiled, grilled, or steamed vegetables.

The meat and vegetable included in lunch should not be repeated in dinner on the same day. As mentioned above, certain herbs and seasonings are allowed in the hCG menu.

It has been observed that hCG dieters usually experience a loss of 1 to 2 lbs a day. The minimum weight loss noticed is 0.5 pound a day; while the maximum weight loss noticed is 3 + lbs a day. Normally, the dieter notices that 1 lb is lost in the first day.

hCG Diet Dangers

hCG diet allows you to consume only 500 calories as the hCG hormone triggers the body into burning up to 2,000 calories a day from stored fat cells. You are not supposed to eat more. Studies show that hCG helps keep your hunger down. It has been observed that hunger pangs are experienced only for the first few days (3-7 days). Some people don’t even experience hunger pangs. But, in any case, you cannot overlook the side effects of hCG injections.

Dieters may suffer from problem in blood circulation due to formation of blood clots, confusion, lack of concentration, headache, restlessness and depression after taking hCG drops or injections. Many women have complained of pelvic pain, stomach pain, urinating less than normal – all that are symptoms of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS ). Symptoms like swelling of hands and feet, water retention and breast tenderness (like in pregnancy) were also experienced by some women, as they followed the diet. Due to OHSS, women may also experience nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulty, excess urination and weight gain.

It is necessary to consult your physician and know hCG diet dangers, before opting for the diet. The original hCG diet plan consists of several minute instructions regarding what to use and what not to use. If you wish to achieve desired weight loss, you should obey the instructions religiously.

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