What is HCG?

What am I going to need for the HCG diet? 

• Digital scale (You should be weighing yourself daily to better track your weight loss while on the HCG diet.)
• Kitchen scale (This is optional. It can help, but just remember 100g of meat is about the size of a deck of cards.)
• Groceries (It is best to have all of your foods ready and available. This will help to prevent cheating. Pre-wash and cut all meat, fruits and vegetables if they will keep.)
• Diet Protocol (You need to have the directions for the diet that you are doing. Most companies will provide this with the drops. HCG Drops Direct includes this as well as bonus recipe ebooks and “Pounds and Inches” by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons, the creator of the HCG diet. They also have free shipping, FYI)
• Vitamin B-12 Drops (These are optional. Many HCG diets require the use of B-12 drops to sustain energy levels during the course of the Low Calorie Days. Many companies also include this with their HCG Drops. HCG Drops Direct does not include B-12 because with their special formula, you don’t need them. So save money by going with HCG Drops Direct.)
• Will Power (This is a tough diet. You have to be committed. Those who don’t see success with the diet are those who cheat.)

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How do I actually do the diet?

As previously mentioned, this may vary from company to company. But here is a general outline of how the HCG diet works. Each part of the HCG diet is broken up into “Phases.” There are four key phases to the HCG diet. Don’t neglect a single one. Many people fail at the HCG diet because they neglect the final two phases.

PHASE 1: Days 1 and 2 – Loading Phase

This phase is essential for the HCG program. You start taking your drops during this phase to get your body used to them. You must eat as many high calorie foods as possible. Eating these high calorie foods will help prepare your body for the very low calorie days. It also causes the hypothalamus to attack the abnormal fat stores. So get your fill of fried foods, creamy pastas, ice-cream, pizza, chocolate and fast foods. You won’t be eating these for while (if ever again!) Many people who don’t eat to their capacity during these two days, don’t have as good of results from the diet.

PHASE 2: Days 3 and forward (21 – 40 days) – The Very Low Calorie Diet

During this phase a very low calorie diet must be maintained. It is essential not to stray from the foods listed in this diet or ingest more than 500 calories. (Many companies have created variations on these low calorie days for those who find it too difficult to stick to the 500 calorie diet. There are 800 and even 1200 calorie versions available. You typically don’t eat breakfast, but you will eat lunch and dinner. Lunch and dinner will consist of about 100 grams of meat with a side of veggies from the approved list. There are also some foods available as snacks. You can have two servings of fruit each day and a melba toast or breadstick. Many people choose to eat one of their fruit servings for breakfast. If you choose to do the 800 or 1200 calorie diet, it doesn’t change the list of approved foods. You simply increase your portion sizes. But don’t increase the number of servings of breadstick or fruit.

PHASE 3: Three Weeks Following the End of Your Low Calorie Days – Stabilization

The stabilization phase is key. You have to get your body back to eating normal without going crazy. This is also the period of time (along with the Maintenance phase) that you are training your brain to accept your new weight. If you do not complete this phase and the maintenance phase, you will gain the weight back! Remember that. You must follow through with these phases. During these phases, you begin to increase your caloric intake slowly. But no sugars or carbs yet. You stop taking the drops and you can take a maintenance drops if you need to. Finish this phase for three weeks.

PHASE 4: Three Weeks Following the End of the Stabilization Phase – Maintenance

The Maintenance phase is also important. You begin to introduce normal foods back into your diet. But don’t go crazy. Don’t go eating pizza and ice cream. Eat healthy. Remember, the HCG diet only works if you have the will power to stop eating unhealthy foods. You can start exercising in this phase. Maintain your weight. If you start gaining, watch it. You don’t want to gain any weight. You need to maintain. That is why it is called the Maintenance phase of the HCG diet.

HCG Approved Foods

[tabs style=”vertical” title=”Approved Foods”] [tab title=”Meats (100 grams weighed raw per meal)”]Meats (100 grams weighed raw per meal)

• Veal
• Very Lean Beef
• Chicken Breast
• Fresh White Fish
• Crab
• Shrimp
• Lobster (Remove all visible fat)

[/tab] [tab title=”Vegetables (2-3 Cups per meal)”]Vegetables (2-3 Cups per meal)

• Spinach
• Chard
• Chicory
• Beet Greens
• Green Salad (Any Kind of Lettuce)
• Tomatoes
• Celery
• Fennel
• Onions (Red, White or Yellow)
• Red Radishes
• Cucumbers
• Asparagus
• Cabbage

[/tab] [tab title=”Fruits (2 servings per day)”]Fruits (2 servings per day)

• Apple
• 1/2 Grapefruit
• Handful of Strawberries
• Honeydew Melon

[/tab] [tab title=”Beverages (Unlimited)”]Beverages (Unlimited)

• Tea (unsweetened or sweetened with Stevia)
• Black coffee
• Water (at least 2 liters each day)

[/tab] [tab title=”Seasonings”]Seasonings

• Stevia
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon Juice
• Vinegar
• Garlic
• Sweet Basil
• Thyme
• Marjoram
• Oregano
• Don’t use any seasonings with sugar or fat.

[/tab] [/tabs]