The HCG Diet and its Weight Loss Protocol Explained

To the surprise of many, the HCG Diet is not just the latest popular weight-loss. The concept has actually been around since the 1950's and has helped many lose weight, particularly in some of the more stubborn areas like hips, buttocks and thighs. The original diet is based on Dr. Simeon's book "Pounds and Inches" which outlines the theory behind it as well as the principles of the diet broken into four phases.

Essentially, the HCG Diet today is the injection via shot or intake via sublingual drops of HCG, the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone present during pregnancy. In addition to injection shots, homeopathic drops are becoming more and more popular among HCG dieters, though one must be cautious of the quality as some have been attributed to having very little to no HCG in them. There are 4 phases to the diet with phase 1 and 2 described below.

Phase 1: “Loading” (Days 1-2)

Although Dr. Trudeau's plan suggests starting with a candida cleanse, Pounds and Inches starts Phase 1 in the form of "loading days." This is the easy part, where you simply eat as much as you can in 2 days with emphasis on high-fat foods. Look at it as the preparatory phase, an important part of the entire HCG diet for several reasons. The most important thing to remember is that you must take your HCG drops or injections during these loading days. The whole reason you are loading is to give the HCG time to be in full effect before you start the 500 calorie portion of the diet.

First, because the HCG is not 100% in force until day 3, you do not want to begin the 500 calorie daily allotment until this time. Secondly, loading helps replenish the fat stores in your bloodstream that may have been depleted in past dieting which is why the loading days should focus on high-fat foods, as opposed to sugary carbs although they can also be consumed. Thirdly, proper loading helps prepare you both mentally and physically for the VLCD portion of the diet as, after 2 days of loading, you are more than ready to stop eating and your body will be ready also. Finally, proper loading helps diminish hunger in the first few days of the diet after switching to the 500 calorie diet.

Here are a few tips to consider during the loading phase:

• Take your HCG drops or injections
• Do not skimp on fatty foods. In fact, loading with only sugary, carbohydrate-based foods may make the sudden withdrawal on day 3 more difficult. If you have to choose, opt for the fatty foods like meat, cheese, oil, creams along but also enjoy the other foods you may crave like donuts, ice cream, chocolate, etc. Remember, you will be saying your goodbyes to these fav’ foods in 2 days!
• You can drink whatever you want during the loading phase, just don’t forget about water. Aim to drink at least a ½ to 1 gallon of plain, filtered water each day.
• Weigh yourself every morning after emptying your bladder and without clothes. Keep a log so you can track your success as you embark on Phase 2. Don’t be nervous when you see a rapid weight gain from your 2 loading days—much of this is probably water retention. Regardless, you will lose it quickly, with many losing it the first day on Phase 2.
• Clean out your kitchen and pantry getting rid of any foods that will tempt you during Phase 2. Eat and enjoy during Phase 1, then give away what will ruin it for you in Phase 2. It will be worth it!

On a side note, before moving on to Phase 2, keep in mind that many have also found success on 500-800 calories, rather than a strict 500 calorie plan. In fact, the 500 calorie plan has not too long ago been modified to 800 calories per day. Research showed weight loss to be slower but the diet more tolerable. Do your homework and choose what is best for you.

Phase 2: Weight-Loss Phase

Phase 2 of the HCG diet begins after 2 days of loading and lasts anywhere from 21-45 days depending on your weight-loss needs. It is where the Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) and weight-loss begins while continuing to take the HCG. The basic menu and diet protocol for each meal is below, though it can be tweaked somewhat.

Breakfast: Unlimited tea or coffee without sugar. You may use only 1 tablespoon of milk per day, along with saccharin or stevia as needed.

Lunch: 100 grams (weighed raw) of veal, beef, chicken breast, fresh white fish, crab, lobster or shrimp. It must be broiled or grilled with no additional fat, as all visible fat must be removed before cooking. Salmon, eel, tuna, herring, dried or pickled fish are not allowed. You may also use eggs and cottage cheese on occasion and, more so, if you are vegetarian.

1 vegetable per meal, limited to the following selections: spinach, chard, chicory, beet-greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, asparagus, cucumbers and cabbage.

1 grissini breadstick or 1 Melba toast round. Can be found at most grocery stores.

Fruit, limited to 1 apple, orange, or a handful of strawberries or one-half grapefruit. You may not substitute 2 small applies for 1 larger apple—just one, as the calories are different.

Dinner: Same choices as lunch.

The “tweaking” mentioned above is that you are permitted to eat your fruit or breadstick separate from lunch and dinner, perhaps for a snack between meals. This will help stave off hunger and allow you to eat every few hours.

There are also several guidelines for drinks, seasonings and spices. You are permitted one lemon per day, whether for a drink or as dressing or for cooking. Also allowed are salt, pepper, mustard powder, vinegar, sweet basil, thyme, parsley and other spices. The only caveat is that they cannot contain sugar or starches. No oil, butter of dressing is allowed, particularly because of the high-fat content. If the body has fat available to burn from foods, it will use this before it taps into your fat storage. Tea, coffee, plain or mineral water are the only drinks allowed, and you must have at least 2-3 liters of water per day. You may consume these drinks anytime and in any quantity.

Also, avoid cosmetics that are oil-based as the oil will soak into the skin and, believe it or not, be used by the body as a fuel source. Remember, we want the body to use up our extra fat, not fat being supplied to it. This may be the case for shampoos, conditioners and lotions also, but some have found it does not affect weight-loss. Do what works for you. There are a lot of oil-free options on the market today, though.

As far as mediations, the original protocol recommends you not take any medicines but always check with your doctor first.

Taking some liquid B-12 may help with energy levels.

At the end of your Phase 2, you must continue the 500 calorie diet for 72 hours after you stop taking the HCG. This provides time for the HCG to completely leave your system. Record your weight at the last dosage or shot. This will be what is called the VLCD weight and what you want to maintain during phases 3 and 4.

Phase 3: Stabilization

For a minimum of 3 weeks, you no longer take the HCG and avoid all sugars and starches. If you gain more than 2 pounds from your VLCD weight, you must do a steak or apple day the very next day. It takes approximately 3 weeks for your hypothalamus to reset, so this 3 week period of time is very important to give your body time to “get used to” your new weight. Some more highlights…

• You must weight yourself every day. Use the same system as in Phase 2—weigh in the morning after emptying your bladder with no clothes.
• Eat plenty of protein.
• Fats can be enjoyed more liberally, but avoid combining fats and starch.

Phase 4: Lifetime Maintenance

By this point, you should look at food and eating differently. Your urge for the wrong foods should be less, and you should not be hungry all the time. This is about eating a normal, healthy diet of correct portions so you can best maintain your weight. Yes, you will be able to enjoy treats on occasion! If you gain some at any point, just do a steak day until you are back at your normal weight. You should be feeling more alert, experience more energy, and have better hair, nails and skin.

Phase 4 is, essentially, and extension of Phase 3. Be careful with the carbs and find the amount that best suits you and your weight-loss maintenance. If you notice you begin to gain, cut back on the carbs some until you stabilize. Everyone’s carb level is different.

Here are some additional tips to ensure the weight does not creep back. Eat only when you are hungry and try to eat whole, organic foods as much as possible. Drink plenty of water, maintaining the 2-3 liters per day minimum from previous phases. On occasion, do a cleanse to keep your liver and colon functioning at their best. As for exercise, aim to get at least an hour of walking each day or participate in another exercise program. The point is to move, move and move!

Always eat breakfast and be sure to eat dinner at least 3 ½ hours before bed. Eating large meals before bed is too hard on the hypothalamus and, not to mention, adds extra calories at the end of the day that are less likely to be burned off. We do not want the overage to be stored as fat!

As for supplements, Acetyle L-Carnitine can help the body turn fat into a fuel source. Hot peppers, cinnamon and other spicy seasonings also help stimulate the metabolism, so eat those as often as possible. Organic raw apple cider vinegar also helps the body burn more fat and can be used, for example, as a dressing for salad.

Sleep is crucial in all phases, including Phase 4. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep, preferably between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am depending on your schedule. Limit prescription medication as much as possible but always check with your doctor before making any changes.

Finally, because this list is not exhaustive, it would be recommended to read Pounds and Inches for an expanded explanation of the above guidelines and some additional tips to follow to ensure permanent weight loss. You do not want all of your hard work to be for naught!