The HCG Diet combines daily doses of the drug human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, with a three-phase diet plan. The HCG is taken either as injections or oral drops. The three phases of the HCG diet are the Loading Phase, the Maintenance Phase, and the Stabilization Phase. The three phases combine to create a diet which lasts 44 to 64 days.
Loading Phase
The loading phase of the HCG diet lasts for two days. During the loading phase you take 10-15 doses of HCG three times each day. You are also supposed to eat large quantities of high-calorie, high-fat foods. The diet plan also involves drinking between a half-gallon and a full gallon of water per day.
Purpose
The website 'Safe HCG Diet' states the loading phase is responsible for preparing your body for the extremely low-calorie second and third phases. This is intended to help trick your body to prevent it from going into starvation mode throughout the diet. Weight loss can occur during this phase. Any weight lost may not be associated with the HCG drug, but may in fact be due to increased water consumption and higher protein amounts in the food you consume.
Suggested Foods
The loading phase is meant to involve extremely an high caloric intake. HCG Fat Loss recommends eating foods high in carbohydrates and saturated fats, such as bagels and cream cheese, macaroni and cheese, pizza, cheeseburgers, fried chicken and dinner rolls with butter. You may also eat high-fat desserts such as ice cream, cookies, cake and candy. Snacks can include donuts, potato chips and French fries. Permitted beverages include soda, tea and coffee.
Considerations
Do not begin the HCG diet or any diet without consulting your health care professional. The HCG diet is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as an infertility treatment, and has not been approved as a weight loss aid. According to US News, the FDA stated that the HCG drug, when administered for or sold as a weight loss drug, is fraudulent. The HCG drug requires a prescription from a licensed physician.
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