HCG Diet Revealed

HCG diet

The HCG Diet - What's It All About?

One very popular diet on the market is the HCG diet. One of the reasons it's so popular is because it gives super fast weight loss: 1 - 3 pounds per day.

HCG, otherwise known as human chorionic gonadotropin hormone is a hormone that is produced naturally in pregnant mothers and will have the body turning to body fat as a fuel source.

The diet was originally discovered by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons in the 1950s. Research suggested that small, daily HCG injections can cause someone to lose from 1 to 2 lbs per day, and sometimes more, when used with a very low calorie diet of about 500 calories.

HCG is supposed to help burn off excess "mobile" fat on your thighs, hips, belly, and upper arms. It modifies the way you eat and changes your appetite by resetting your hypothalamus, so you can easily maintain the low-calorie diet.

While some older HCG diet protocols like Dr. Simeons' diet use injections (which can be very expensive), the new HCG diet protocols like the diet from Your HCG uses homeopathic HCG drops that you place under the tongue up to 6 times per day.

This is much less expensive and according to most users, just as effective for weight loss.

How The Diet Works:

While there are several different protocols for the HCG diet, the most popular (and easiest) are the ones used by programs like YourHCG which involves drops you place under your tongue up to 6 times per day along with the original VLCD (very low calorie diet) of 500 calories a day.

For the first 2 days you take the drops, you're encouraged to eat a very high fat diet - or basically as much food as you want (sounds good already right?). But then the drops kick in and start to dial your appetite down.

On days 3 - 21 you're on Dr. Simeons original very low calorie diet of 500 calories per day. You have coffee or tea for breakfast, protein, veggies, fruit and some melba toast for lunch and a serving of protein, veggies, fruit and melba toast for dinner.

While 500 calories a day is extremely low, users claim that they feel very little hunger, probably due to the fact that the HCG drops promote appetite suppression. So it's easier to stick to the diet.

How Does It Rate?

Is It Fast?

Obviously the HCG diet helps you lose weight very fast - from 1 - 3 pounds per day. So you'll see results quickly which can inspire you to reach your goal. You'll also reach your goal faster than other diets so you won't have to stay on it as long.

However this may be too fast for some doctors to consider healthy or safe.

Is It Easy To Follow?

That depends on your lifestyle. The drops are pretty easy to take (if you're doing injections every day, it's a lot harder and more expensive).

The diet itself isn't too tough to follow - a bit boring but there's no real complicated recipes of culinary skills you need. And you'll probably save money on food since you're not eating much.

Is It Safe?

This is where the controversy sets in. The weight loss mainly comes from the very low calorie diet. And 500 calories a day is not necessarily balanced or safe.

Even though the HCG diet was designed by a physician, there are many other doctors who advise against such a low calorie protocol.

Also, you may start to burn lean muscle mass - which can make it harder to maintain the weight loss in the future.

On the other hand, you are eating protein (which can help maintain muscle mass) and fruits and veggies which do give you some vital nutrients.

Does It Permit 'Treats'?

No. There is really no room for any treats on this diet - you have to follow it exactly in order to achieve the fast weight loss results.

While some people may not mind this for a 21 day period, others may really want their treat or a break, which isn't allowed on this diet.

Is There Support?

That really depends on which HCG diet protocol you're following. The YourHCG diet for example is one of the better programs we've found. It gives you the HCG drops along with unlimited phone and email support, access to a members-only site with online tools, recipes, planners etc. and even Dr. Simeons original diet book and protocol.

They also help you transition off the diet to the maintenance phase so you can maintain your weight loss.

Final Grade: C+

The HCG diet is a mixed bag. Depending how which protocol you use, there are some good things about it (fast weight loss, easy to follow, online support) and some questionable things (very strict, may be too low-calorie).

This diet is going to be best for those who want the fastest weight loss possible and have the discipline and will-power to stick to a very low calorie approach.

Where To Find More Information:

You can read more about the diet and get some great deals at YourHCG. You can also find a coupon below to save on the HCG complete diet package.

Click Here For More on the HCG Diet

HCG diet

Return Home From HCG Diet

Return to All Diet Reviews

