HCG Drops Diet Plan

Answer 1

The HCG diet plan is often misunderstood. Many hear the first part that requires 500 calories per day and tune themselves out completely, fearing it is a hoax or starvation plan.

What is the HCG diet plan?

The HCG diet was created by a Doctor Who wanted to find a cure for obesity. His plan spans three phases, and though initially it was tested with subjects taking HCG hormone injections, it is currently workable with HCG homeopathic drops. However, it is only during the first phase of the plan that the HCG drops are used. The plan itself calls for the consumption of 500 calories per day. The way the HCG works, is that while you consume 500 calories, the HCG forces the body to burn up to 2000 of the calories it needs to function daily from stores of abnormal fat.

Phase one

It takes 48 hours for the HCG to enter the body and begin to work. The patient is encouraged to eat extremely fatty foods for 48 hours. This is called 'loading'. Loading the body with excess fat keeps the patient satiated while the hormone starts to work, keeping them full. The fat gained during the loading phase almost always disappears within the first few days of the low calorie diet. On the third day, the patient begins to adhere to a strict eating protocol that excludes sugars, starches and most carbohydrates. The recommended minimum number of days in phase one is 23. The recommended maximum is 60.

Phases two and three

The purpose of the HCG protocol is to cure obesity. This calls for two things, the resetting of the metabolism and the resetting of the hypothalamus gland. On the last two days of the VLCD, the patient continues to follow the menu, while omitting the HCG drops. It is during the first phase that the bodies metabolism is successfully reset, and it is the second phase that resets the hypothalamus. In phase two the patient is encouraged to eat normally, minus starches and sugars, and eat enough calories to maintain their achieved weight loss within two pounds over or under their last days dosing weight. This phase is done for 21 days. The third phase is the final maintenance phase where starches, sugars and carbohydrates are slowly introduced to the diet. The patient is asked to monitor their weight daily and look for foods that they may have sensitivities to. This phase also lasts 21 days. If the patient has more weight to lose, they may then start phase one again.

Use of a BMR calculator helps calculate specific caloric need based on individual weight, height and activity level.

The HCG diet, though controversial, has helped many people achieve their weight loss goals and permanently keep the weight off. The diet itself is strict, but with a little planning and perseverance, following it is quite rewarding.