HCG Diet Plan and Foods

HCG Diet Plan and Foods

A new diet plan is creating quite a stir among serious dieters all over the world. With reports claiming weight reduction of 50 pounds or more in just two months, people can’t wait to get started. It is the HCG weight loss program. HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin, a reproductive hormone which is crucial for the maintenance of pregnancy and the growth and development of the fetus inside the womb.

What is the HCG Diet Plan?

The HCG diet entails a combination of a strict caloric restriction of 500 to 800 calories per day only and an intake or an administration (whether oral, intravascular or topical) of the HCG hormone. The plan is set for 8 weeks. It is mandatory that the strict diet be followed to the dot to achieve the desired weight. However, if one will search for information online, he or she will notice the discrepancies in the instructions. This is one of the weaknesses of this latest diet fad, as there are not enough studies and experiments being made to provide standard instructions and concrete evidences of its effectiveness.

General Instructions on the HCG Diet

1. Inform your primary health care provider of your intention to practice the HCG diet. A thorough physical exam and laboratory tests should also be taken to serve as baseline data for future reference. These precautionary measures are done to ensure that you are medically fit to follow the diet plan. Also, you may need clearance from a doctor before you can begin the diet plan, especially if you have an existing medical condition which may be aggravated due to the strict diet of this plan.
2. Products with HCG such as drops, shots, pellets, pills, and sprays are to be taken or injected once daily. Follow the prescription for the dosage. According to reports and claims of HCG dieters, the most effective HCG hormone is in the form of injection or shots. This is probably due to the fact that the HCG hormones produced during pregnancy are actually in the bloodstream of the pregnant woman. As such, only HCG shots go directly in the bloodstream of an individual.
3. In the first two days of the first week of the diet, there is a loading phase. During this time, you can eat anything that you like. There are no food and drink restrictions. The rationale for this is that this diet will try to “set” the metabolism of an individual into an active one. When one’s metabolism is active, the tendency to burn calories is increased. Therefore, weight loss is achieved. The rationale on how HCG “sets” the metabolism is still unknown to medical practitioners.
4. Only two meals are allowed per day – lunch and dinner. However, coffee, tea, and water can be taken all throughout the day. Milk is limited to only 1 tablespoon per day. Increased fluid intake is strictly implemented in this diet.
5. A unique feature of this diet plan is the absence of any activity or exercise. This may be attributed to the low energy levels of the individual given the number of calories taken.
6. Without any rationale, products for hygiene, lotions, and body oil are also not allowed.

What are Included in the HCG Diet?

There are four food groups included in this plan. You will notice that the choices are limited since the target is just 500-800 calories per day. For each meal, you are to take one source of protein, one fruit, one vegetable, and one slice of bread only. In the event that you become hungry in between your meals, you may eat bread or a fruit but you have to omit that fruit or bread in your next meal.

For protein, make sure that all fats and skins are removed or trimmed. Only broiled or grilled is the allowed preparation for this food group. Note: All sources of protein should be 100 grams only. The options are the following:

– Veal
– Chicken
– Lean Beef
– Crab
– Lobster
– Shrimp
– Fresh White Fish

For vegetables, one can choose from the following:

– All kinds of lettuce, beet greens, chard, cabbage and spinach
– All kinds of onions
– All kinds of tomatoes
– Cucumber
– Radishes
– Celery
– Asparagus
– Fennel

For fruits, only these six are allowed:

– Apples
– Blueberries, blackberries or strawberries (only a handful)
– Lemons
– Half grapefruit

For bread, only melba toast and breadsticks are permitted.

You will notice that the HCG diet is economical and easy to do. This is probably why more and more people are giving this diet plan a try. Here is a sample meal plan for a whole week.

First Week – Monday and Tuesday

Take your HCG hormone. Eat anything, especially fattening foods. Overeating or “bingeing” is actually required at this time. This is the only time in the whole diet that you will be asked to overeat. Therefore, most dieters savor this moment.

At the start of Wednesday until the last day of the 8-week period, all breakfasts will consist of tea or coffee without sugar. Stevia can take the place of sugar. One tablespoon of milk can be added to the coffee. Do not forget to take your HCG hormone every day until the end of the diet plan.

Wednesday is the official start of your 500-800 calorie diet.

Lunch

– Fresh white fish
– Spinach
– Apple
– Melba toast

Dinner

– Lobster
– Radish
– Breadstick
– Half a grapefruit

Thursday

Lunch

– Shrimp
– Green beets
– Melba toast
– Lemon

Dinner

– Chicken breast
– Cucumber
– Strawberry
– Breadstick

Friday

Lunch

– Lean beef
– Asparagus
– Melba toast
– Blackberries

Dinner

– Crab
– Cabbage
– Breadstick
– Blueberries

Saturday

Lunch

– Lobster
– Tomato
– Breadstick
– Apple
Dinner

– Veal
– Chard
– Strawberries
– Melba toast

Sunday

Lunch

– Chicken
– Radish
– Lemon
– Breadstick

Dinner

– Crab
– Asparagus
– Blackberries
– Melba toast

Important Tip

Any untoward sign or symptom that you feel from day one to the last day of the diet plan is reportable. Stop the diet unless the doctor gives you the go signal to proceed with it.