The HCG diet is a complex plan broken up into three specific phases with designated foods. In addition to following a regimented diet plan, you also have to take daily supplements in liquid drop or injection forms. You can enjoy prunes on phase 3 of the HCG diet, but you need to measure out your portion size to avoid consuming too many calories. Talk with your physician before beginning this or any new diet regime, and let him know about your weight loss goals.
HCG
Human chorionic gonadotropin, better known as HCG, is a natural hormone made by women when they become pregnant. During the HCG diet, you have to take the hormone supplements three times per day or have daily injections in the first two phases. You do not need to take HCG supplements during the third and final phase. HCG diet proponents claim that adding this hormone to your body, along with following a highly restrictive diet plan, kicks your thyroid into a highly active state. When this occurs, the body turns to burning fat stores for energy. You may experience some weight loss on this diet, but it probably comes from the lack of food and not directly from the hormone, says Jennifer K. Nelson, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian.
Diet Phases
The HCG diet is has three distinct phases. You begin in phase 1, also known as the loading phase. For two days you can eat whatever you want, focusing on fatty fried foods. This phase allows you to stock up fat, so you have enough to burn throughout the other phases. During phase 2, or maintenance, you have to restrict your total caloric intake to a minimal 500 calories per day, for 21 to 40 days, depending on how much weight you want to lose. Phase 2 excludes most types of foods, but you can have small portions of lean meat, nonstarchy vegetables, a couple types of fruit and a cracker at lunch and dinner. The stabilization phase, or phase 3, allows you to slowly add your favorite foods back into your diet, gradually increasing your caloric intake.
Stabilization
Phase 3, or stabilization, lasts for 21 days. During this time, you can slowly increase your caloric intake from the 500 calories of phase 2. Women can gradually go up to 800 calories per day, while men can have up to 1,000 calories. During phase 3, HCG diet proponents suggest avoiding sugar and starch, which can spike your blood sugar and leave you feeling hungry shortly after eating.
Prune Nutrients
Since prunes are naturally high in sugar, limit your portion size during phase 3 to avoid gaining back unwanted weight. One prune has approximately 25 calories, most of which come from carbohydrates. Of the 6 grams of carbs in a single prune, 60 percent originates from sugar. Each prune also has a beneficial 0.7 grams of fiber, to keep your bowels moving and improve regularity.
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