The HCG diet is the brainchild of the late Dr. A. T. W. Simeons, who studied weight loss and obesity in the 1950’s. He discovered that a low calorie diet combined with the HCG hormone brought about no side effects. Dr. Simeons noticed that patients could lose a lot of weight in a short period of time on this type of a diet, and that their bodies would reshape themselves naturally. In the past decade, the HCG diet has really grown in popularity, and millions of people all over the world are reporting weight loss success.
No More Needles
Initially, people on the HCG diet would have to take daily injections of the HCG hormone. Now, anyone can use this diet, and there are no needles necessary. This is because there are now HCG drops that can be taken orally. This makes it so much easier for people to be able to achieve their weight loss goals, because they have more access to the hormone that makes the weight loss possible.
How the HCG Diet Works
The concept behind the HCG diet is pretty simple. The HCG hormone, which is prevalent in pregnant women, is taken orally, then dieters follow an extremely strict 500 calorie a day diet. Many people think that there is no way that they can get enough to eat by consuming so few calories, but you would be quite surprised at the amount of food that you can actually have. The HCG drops will help to eliminate feelings of hunger and cravings, and there are ways that you can enjoy some snacks between meals so you can be sure of not feeling hungry and snacking on foods that the diet does not allow.
When you are on the HCG diet, you can drink as much water as you like, and it is recommended that you drink at least two liters of water every day. You can also enjoy as much tea or coffee that you like, but no sugar, only sweeteners such as Saccharin or Stevia. One tablespoon of milk is allowed every day, which you can use in your coffee or tea if you like.
- Breakfast: You can enjoy one of the above beverages for breakfast. There is no food consumed for this meal, just the coffee or tea, and of course, water.
- Lunch: You will be eating protein for lunch. You can have 100 grams of skinless chicken or turkey, beef or veal (all visible fat removed), or the same amount of fresh white fish, lobster, shrimp or crab. You can have one vegetable, and Melba toast or a bread stick, with an apple, half a grapefruit, an orange or a handful of strawberries for dessert.
- Dinner: Follow the same menu as lunch.
- Snacks: You are not supposed to snack while you are on the HCG diet, but you can use the Melba toast, breadsticks or fruit as snacks instead of eating them with your meals. You can have all the water you like.
- Seasonings: You can have the juice of one lemon daily to season food or even put in your water. You can also have salt, pepper, vinegar, mustard powder, garlic, parsley, thyme and other seasonings. You can’t use oil, butter or dressings.
The Pros and Cons of the HCG Diet
There are good things and bad things about any diet, and the HCG diet is no exception. Here are some of the pros and cons of using the HCG Drops Diet:
Pros
- You can lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time.
- It is easier to maintain weight loss after going off the diet.
- Exercise is discouraged, not encouraged.
- You don’t have to buy expensive foods from the diet company.
Cons
- Many people have trouble sticking to such a low calorie diet, even with the hormone drops.
- Some nutrients may be missing from the diet, so it is necessary to take vitamin supplements
If you have tried other diets without success, don’t give up hope just yet. The HCG diet is one that really does work, and you don’t have to do any exercise top get the body you have always dreamed of having.
