Brenda Khan
The HCG diet is a very low-calorie diet that combines a restricted calorie intake with supplemental HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) injections to stimulate weight loss. The diet was developed by British physician Albert Simeons in the early 1950s and has surged in popularity since 2009. While the HCG diet may be appealing to those seeking rapid weight loss, it is important to note that it has not been scientifically proven effective and may be dangerous. This diet restricts calories to 500-800 per day, which can make it challenging to meet nutritional needs. In terms of food choices, the HCG diet includes lean proteins, certain low-carbohydrate vegetables, and limited fruits. But what about salt?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salt allowed on HCG diet | Yes |
| HCG diet plan | Combines hormone supplements with a limited-calorie diet to promote rapid weight loss |
| HCG supplements | Unsafe and illegal |
| Calorie intake | 500-800 calories per day |
| Number of meals per day | 2 |
| Acceptable beverages | Coffee, tea, and water |
| Sweeteners allowed | Stevia or saccharine |
| Milk allowed | 1 tablespoon per day |
| Food items allowed | Lean meats, eggs, vegetables, fruits, berries, citrus fruits, apples, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, and strawberries |
| Food items to avoid | Oils, butter, nuts, sugar, alcohol, most dairy, pasta, fruit juice, starchy foods |
| Side effects | Gallstones, irregular heartbeat, and low electrolytes |
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What You'll Learn
Salt is allowed in moderation
The diet has three phases, each with different rules that should be explained by a doctor before beginning the injections. The longest phase of the hCG diet is the most stringent, requiring a daily intake of only 500 calories. During this phase, your intake should be high in protein and low in fat and starchy foods. Lean meats, eggs, vegetables, and some fruits are allowed, while oils, butter, nuts, sugar, alcohol, most dairy, pasta, and fruit juice are prohibited.
If you are considering the hCG diet, it is important to talk to your doctor beforehand to ensure it is safe for you. It is not recommended to restrict calories to this level without being monitored by a healthcare professional.
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HCG diet is a very low-calorie diet
The HCG diet is a very low-calorie diet that combines a restricted-calorie diet with illegal and unsafe hormone supplements or injections. HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced during pregnancy. However, the HCG diet has nothing to do with pregnancy. The diet involves eating either 500 or 800 calories spread over two meals per day. The longest and most stringent phase of the diet restricts people to just 500 calories per day. An intake of 800 calories per day or lower is considered a very low-calorie diet (VLCD).
The HCG diet is a controversial weight loss plan due to its extreme calorie restriction and illegal supplements. It is not recommended to restrict calories to this level without medical supervision as it may cause nutrient deficiencies and side effects such as gallstones, an irregular heartbeat, and low electrolytes. The American Society of Bariatric Physicians and the FDA advise against using the HCG diet for weight loss due to a lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness.
The HCG diet plan is structured into three phases with different rules, which a doctor will walk the dieter through before they begin receiving injections. The first phase, known as the loading phase, lasts for two days, during which the dieter eats high-calorie, high-fat foods to boost metabolism and prepare the body for weight loss. The second phase, or weight loss phase, involves eating a very low-calorie diet of 500 to 800 calories per day while taking HCG through an injection, tablet, or other form. This phase lasts three to six weeks. In the final phase, the dieter stops taking HCG and adopts a well-balanced diet and exercise routine to maintain long-term weight loss.
The HCG diet plan is quite specific about the foods that are allowed. For breakfast, only liquids are permitted, such as tea, coffee, or water. Sugar is forbidden, but sweeteners like stevia or saccharine are allowed, along with one tablespoon of skim milk per day. Lunch and dinner should consist of carefully weighed lean meats, eggs, vegetables, and some fruits. Oils, butter, nuts, alcohol, most dairy, pasta, and fruit juice are to be avoided. Herbs and spices are used to flavour food, and people on the diet can drink as much coffee, tea, and water as they like.
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It involves taking a pregnancy hormone
The HCG diet is a weight loss plan that involves taking a hormone produced in the body during pregnancy, called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), while following a very low-calorie diet. HCG is a hormone that is present in small amounts in all human bodies but is produced in large quantities by the placenta during pregnancy. Its main functions are to thicken the uterus lining and stop menstruation.
The diet was introduced by British doctor Albert T. W. Simeons in a 1954 medical journal article. Simeons discovered the potential weight loss effects of HCG while treating young boys with Fröhlich syndrome, a rare hormonal disorder that causes obesity. He found that injecting these boys with HCG taken from the urine of pregnant women helped them lose weight, especially in areas like the belly, hips, and thighs.
The HCG diet has two main components: taking an HCG hormone supplement and restricting food intake to 500 calories per day. The diet typically lasts three to six weeks, during which individuals consume a high-protein, low-fat, and low-starch diet. The allowed foods include lean meats, eggs, certain vegetables, and some fruits, while oils, butter, nuts, sugar, alcohol, most dairy, pasta, and fruit juice are avoided.
While the HCG diet has surged in popularity, it is important to note that it is considered dangerous and ineffective by many health professionals. HCG is not FDA-approved for weight loss, and there is no scientific evidence that it promotes weight loss. Additionally, the extreme calorie restriction can lead to side effects such as gallstones, an irregular heartbeat, and low electrolytes. HCG injections may also cause allergic reactions, mood changes, facial hair growth, and other unpleasant side effects. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before starting any restrictive diet or taking hormone supplements to ensure safety and monitor potential side effects.
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It has three phases with different rules
The HCG diet plan is a short-term programme divided into three phases, each with different rules. It combines hormone supplements with a limited-calorie diet to promote rapid weight loss. However, it is not recognised by health experts as safe and is considered illegal due to the unsafe nature of HCG supplements.
The first phase, the "loading phase", lasts for two days. During this phase, people preparing to begin the diet eat extremely high-fat, high-calorie foods, consuming up to 250 grams of fat per day, which equates to 2,250 calories just from fat. HCG hormone supplements or injections also begin at this time.
The second phase is the weight-loss phase, which is the longest and most stringent. During this phase, dieters consume either 500 or 800 calories per day, spread over two meals. The meals should be high in protein and low in fat and starchy foods. Lean meats, eggs, vegetables, and some fruits are allowed, while oils, butter, nuts, sugar, alcohol, most dairy, pasta, and fruit juice are prohibited. Breakfast is limited to liquids such as tea, coffee, or water, with only one tablespoon of skim milk allowed per day. Lunch and dinner typically consist of 100 grams of carefully weighed meat, such as chicken breast, white fish, or shrimp.
The final phase is the maintenance phase, during which individuals gradually discontinue HCG supplementation while slowly increasing calories. While there is no specified calorie target for this phase, some sources suggest that 1,200 to 1,500 calories may be appropriate for maintaining weight loss.
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It is not FDA-approved for weight loss
The HCG diet is a weight loss plan that involves taking a hormone produced in the body during pregnancy and combining it with a very low-calorie diet. Typically, this involves restricting calorie intake to 500 per day, although there is an alternate 800-calorie plan.
HCG is not approved by the FDA for weight loss. In fact, the prescription drug label notes that there is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction. The FDA has approved HCG as a prescription drug for the treatment of female infertility and for other medical conditions, but it is not approved for use without a prescription for any purpose.
The HCG diet is not only unhealthy but also dangerous. People on such restrictive diets are at increased risk for side effects, including gallstone formation, an imbalance of electrolytes, and an irregular heartbeat. Such restrictive diets can be dangerous and even potentially fatal. Very low-calorie diets are sometimes prescribed by healthcare professionals for people who are moderately to extremely obese as part of medical treatment to lessen health conditions caused by obesity, but this should be done under strict and constant medical supervision.
The American Society of Bariatric Physicians recommends against using the HCG diet for weight loss due to a lack of evidence. A 1995 analysis of 24 studies found no evidence that this diet helps reduce hunger, promote weight loss, or trim fat from areas like the hips and thighs. Other research has found that placebo injections worked just as well as HCG injections for treating obesity.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, salt is allowed on the HCG diet. It is often used to season meats and vegetables.
The HCG diet is a very low-calorie diet—usually a range of 500 to 800 calories per day—that is used in conjunction with supplemental HCG injections to stimulate weight loss.
The HCG diet includes lean protein, certain low-carbohydrate vegetables, berries, citrus, apples, and one tablespoon of milk per day.
The HCG diet is not recommended by registered dietitians as it is considered dangerous and should not be done without medical supervision.
