The HCG Diet is a low-calorie diet that credits its reported success to daily injections of the hormone, HCG, normally produced by women during pregnancy. Dieters are limited to between 500 to 800 calories per day, derived from a limited food list that includes lean protein sources, vegetables and a narrow selection of fruits. The HCG Diet is divided into four phases. Tuna is not included in any of the first three phases, however it could be incorporated into the fourth phase for lifetime maintenance.
Phases 1, 2, 3
The first phase of the HCG Diet prepares the dieter's body for the weight loss phase of the diet, Phase 2, where HCG injections begin. Phase 3 is, supposedly, where the HCG hormone has allowed the hypothalamus gland to reset itself and the dieter's metabolism will maintain the weight loss realized in Phase 2. All three of these diet phases work off of a severely limited list of food choices and, according to HCG Diet Journey, the list must be strictly followed for success. The protein choices for Phases 1, 2 and 3 include a limited list of fish and seafood that does not include tuna.
Phase 4
During Phase 4, tuna can be incorporated into the menu plan. The dieter has supposedly reset his or her metabolism during the course of the diet and, in Phase 4, can therefore eat anything he or she desires, provided a list of rules is followed. According to HCG Fat Loss, all food eaten must be 100 percent organic and farm-raised fish, including farm-raised tuna, must be avoided. The reason for this is the belief that any meat that is not 100 percent organic contains pollutants, such as growth hormones, that can lead to weight gain and poor health.
Organics
Organic foods are grown or raised without chemicals or genetic modification. This generally applies to produce or grains. Though Phase 4 of the HCG diet recommends organic, not farm-raised, fish, it is difficult to determine what wild-caught fish have been consuming and what toxins they have been exposed to, including mercury. Though proponents of the HCG Diet may recommend avoiding farm-raised tuna, it may be safer to eat organic, farm-raised tuna, while limiting weekly tuna consumption as per recommendations by the Food and Drug Administration. Organic foods can be identified with the USDA Organic stamp.
Mercury and Tuna
Due to the mercury content of tuna and other fish, the FDA recommends consuming no more than 12 oz. per and avoiding those fish high in mercury: shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish. Tuna can also be high in mercury. Got Mercury recommends being selective when choosing tuna varieities: long line-caught albacore, bigeye or yellowfin tunas may be higher in mercury. Safer varieties may include troll-caught albacore, chunk light or bluefin tuna. Check the label of canned tuna or ask the restaurant when ordering tuna to determine what kind it is.
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