The HCG Diet – Medical HCG also available by consultation.
HCG Diet in a nutshell: The below diet is to be used in conjunction with medically supervised HCG administration only. Without using HCG this is dangerously low in calorie diet and can lead to lean muscle mass wasting.
The HCG program is not for the faint of heart and will take enormous commitment. We recommend starting this plan with a partner as you will need support and accountability. We will plan to meet with you weekly. You will be started on a multivitamin, daily B-complex, and weekly B12 injections. Most people will do 1 cycle. Two cycles may be done back to back or a break may be taken for 1 month on the maintenance plan in between.
The first step will include a comprehensive medical questionnaire, blood work to include thyroid, hormone, nutritional and adrenal gland functioning. We may also recommend food sensitivity testing.
Causes of Abnormal weight gain may be Hormone imbalance, thyroid imbalance, adrenal imbalance, food sensitivity, genetic predisposition, medical conditions, poor eating habits, and lack of exercise. These will all need to be evaluated by your primary care physician and addressed if you are to be successful in achieving weight loss results.
We can’t improve what we can’t measure. At the start and during the program we will measure your weight, chest, waist, flanks, hips, thighs and arms sizes. Body composition analysis is also recommended.
HCG program last 40 days.
Phase 1
Calorie loading days 1-3
Phase 2 days 4-40
Begin the Very Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD). Expect to lose 1/2 to 1 pound per day. Weigh yourself daily. 30 minutes minimum of daily low impact exercise. 3.5 ounces of protein twice daily. 3.5 ounces of vegetable twice daily. 2 servings of fruit daily.
Breakfast
Tea or coffee in any quantity without sugar. Only one tablespoonful of milk allowed in 24 hours. Saccharin or Stevia may be used.
Lunch
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100 grams or 3.5 ounces of veal, beef (only once weekly), skinless chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab, or shrimp. All visible fat must be carefully removed before cooking, and the meat must be weighed raw. It must be boiled or grilled without additional fat. Salmon, eel, tuna, herring, dried or pickled fish are not allowed. The skin must be removed from the bird.
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3.5 ounces of one type of vegetable only, to be chosen from the following: spinach, chard, chicory, beet greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage.
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One breadstick (grissino) or one Melba toast.
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Fruit – An apple, orange, or a handful (4-6) of strawberries or one-half grapefruit.
Dinner
The same four choices as lunch (above.)
The 500 calorie limit must always be maintained. 2 small apples are not an acceptable exchange for “1 apple.” Tea, coffee, plain water, or mineral water (2 liters of water per day is recommended) are the only drinks allowed, but they may be taken in any quantity and at all times.
The fruit or the breadstick may be eaten between meals instead of with lunch or dinner, but not more than four items listed for lunch and dinner may be eaten at one meal.
Very occasionally we allow egg – boiled, poached or raw – to patients who develop an aversion to meat, but in this case, they must add the white of three eggs to the one they eat whole.
Cottage cheese made from skimmed milk is available 100 grams may occasionally be used instead of the meat. Tofu may be substituted for vegetarians.
Prepared Meals Available by Local Culinary Instructor Shelly Dillon
Proteins include:
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Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $8.50
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Pan Poached Tilapia $8.50
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Steamed Louisiana Gulf Shrimp $10.50
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Maryland Backfin Blue Crab Meat $10.50
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Sides Include: Steamed Baby Spinach Leaves
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Freshly Cut Tomatoes w/fresh Cilantro
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Freshly Steamed Fennel
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Freshly Steamed Cabbage
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Freshly Steamed Asparagus
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Shelly’s Seasoning Blends include:
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Cayenne Pepper & Dill (Hot)
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Indian Curry Blend (Medium)
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Tarragon Blend (Mild)
7-10 day notice required. All meals portioned as required.
All meals include one protein and one side.
Pricing based on protein selection. All selections based on availability.
Things to Avoid on HCG Diet
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Do not eat more than 500 calories daily.
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Stick to 3.5 ounces protein twice daily and 3.5 ounces of vegetables daily.
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Stick to 2 servings of fruit daily.
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Do not consume any alcohol.
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Do not consume any fat, sugars, or starch. Do not take fat-soluble vitamins.
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Do not skip any meals.
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Do not perform vigorous exercise.
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Do not use any moisturizer that is not mineral oil-based. This may include your shampoo.
Weight Loss Plateaus
Typically if a weight loss plateau is to occur it will be during week 2 or 3. First evaluate if you have been cheating, have you been drinking an adequate amount of water? The correction for a plateau is to suspend the regular VLCD starting at lunch and consume 6 large apples only over the next 24 hours, until lunchtime the following day. In additional you may consume 5ml daily of a medium-chain triglyceride.
Weight Gain on HCG Diet
If you have gained weight on the HCG diet, skip breakfast and lunch. Consume liquids as normal. For the evening meal, you will have 1 large steak with either 1 apple or 1 tomato.
Possible Side Effects of HCG Diet
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Hair Loss – does not occur with everyone. Rogaine may be used short-term if this does occur.
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Constipation – common. Ensure recommended water consumption. May consume green tea, apricot nectar, stevia. Magnesium 200-1200 mg daily.
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Headaches
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Reflux - usually for those who are already prone to reflux.
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Dry Skin - may use mineral oil or vaseline. Consider panthenol shampoo.
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Leg Cramps – may benefit from potassium 99mg daily, magnesium glycinate 200 – 1200 mg daily, ferrous bisglycinate supplementation. Dr. Parsons may check a potassium and ferritin level. Compounded topical guaifenesin may also be used.
Phase III After the 40 days
Continue a maintenance diet for 21 days. Increase your caloric intake to 1200 calories daily. Reintroduce fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and grapes. Reintroduce small amounts of healthy fats in protein. Include a protein with every meal. Reintroduce tuna, salmon, turkey, low-fat cottage cheese, nuts, low-fat milk, provolone, and mozzarella.
Phase IV
If indicated by your height and body build, begin a normal 1800 calorie daily diet. Reintroduce regular exercise. Add starches and sugars in small amounts.
Maintenance of Ideal Weight
Eat 5-6 times daily including protein with each meal. Eliminate food that you are reactive too, as determined by the previous testing. Continue supplements as indicated by Micronutrient testing, take probiotics. Drink 10 glasses of water daily. Decrease stress in your life. Consume only grass-fed beef, free-range organic poultry, and eggs, wild, not farm-raised fish. Do not consume processed foods.