The Why and How of Fat Loading on HCG: Get Ready to Eat!

At the beginning of the HCG diet, my patients always wonder how they could possibly go the length of the protocol only eating500 calories per day. Of course it sounds difficult and tough to do but supplementing the low calorie diet with the HCG weight loss drops makes it realistic and doable. But how, you ask? During pregnancy the release of the hormone HCG tells your fat to release its stored energy to the baby. Along the same line, without a baby in tow, the body releases that energy anyway and tells the brain that we are fine. It sort of tricks the body into losing that fat. Sneaky, right? So now you’re wondering why the fat loading at the beginning of the protocol? Because it takes a few days for the HCG to trigger the brain that it’s fine on that 500 calorie diet and loading up on that fat will keep you from getting cranky and starved those first few days. For two days, go crazy. Eat to your heart’s desire. High calorie, high fat – go ahead and put that scoop of ice cream on top of some macaroni and cheese. Have that bag of Oreo cookies while you watch a movie. No rules. Here’s a sample menu for a fat loading day, because, believe it or not, some folks have trouble thinking about food outside the diet box: Breakfast: Croissant with real butter, bacon and/or sausage and a three egg omelet Snack: Donuts, pastries or any other delish, high fat cake-y goodness. Top it with whip cream or Nutella, yum! Lunch: Pork tenderloin, chicken or burger with a baked/sweet potato with butter, sour cream and all the fixins. Go ahead; add a buttered roll or biscuit and some broccoli topped with cheese Afternoon Snack: Ice cream of course Dinner: Chicken Parmesan with a side of fettuccini alfredo, cheese garlic bread and a big salad with bacon bits and ranch dressing Make sure you enjoy yourself because once the diet starts any deviation can lead to stalled weight loss. Happy dieting!

Ascent Health Center’s Dr. Julie Marchiol continues to advocate for Dr. Simeons’s HCG research. She believes in his methods, and strives to help those in need achieve weight loss and a healthy lifestyle