Archive for the ‘Healthy Diet’ Category

The HCG Diet is the brainchild of the late British physician, Dr. A. T. W. Simeons. Basically, it involves the intake of the hormone HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) coupled with what is known as the very low calorie diet (VLCD). The hormone is predominantly found in pregnant women and when it is injected, it is believed to trigger the hypothalamus gland to burn stored fat. Participants in the diet program take injections of the hormone and combine it with a 500-calorie per day diet. The requirement for the intake of HCG is straightforward and it is the relatively easy part of the diet. The other part of the plan is the calorie restriction. It is important to know what you can and cannot eat while on this diet so as not to exceed the limits.

There are two phases to the plan. Phase I instructs the dieter to eat whatever he or she wants to eat for the first three days after starting the HCG injections. In fact, it is recommended that the dieter gorge on fatty foods during this phase. This is also called the loading up phase. The idea is build up the fat cells to maximum levels so that the dieter does not feel as hungry during Phase II which is the low-calorie diet phase. You want to minimize hunger as much as possible because it reduces the risk of non-compliance with the 500-calorie per day eating routine. The next phase is the VCLD. Keep in mind that the HCG diet is a very sensitive one and you should pay attention to all additives in foods as well as portion sizes. By paying attention to additives, you can detect if any sugar was used which is something you must strictly avoid during this phase. The remainder of this article covers some of the allowed foods.
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HCG is an acronym that represents Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and it is the key component to a diet that promotes rapid weight loss. HCG is a hormone that occurs naturally during pregnancy and it assists in the development of the placenta by promoting the production of progesterone. Progesterone is another important hormone in pregnancy with many functions to include maintenance of the uterus lining which is crucial to development of the fetus. HCG has one more use outside of pregnancy and that is in the area of weight loss. It is known as the HCG weight loss plan and its supporters proclaim it to be one of the more effective diet treatments on the market.

Dieters on the plan primarily take HCG injections to introduce the hormone into their system. They buy kits with syringes and mixing instructions. In some geographical regions, purchasing HCG injection kits is illegal therefore those who want to participate in the diet must resort to oral methods. Oral methods come in two types: pills you can swallow or sub-lingual drops. The problem with HCG pills you can swallow is that the hormone is also a protein and the side effect is that it will get absorbed by the digestive system with no benefit towards weight loss. Sub-lingual drops placed under the tongue are much more effective because the membrane at that location can absorb the hormone rapidly.
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HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a hormone that occurs naturally in the placentas of pregnant women. It is also synthetically produced for use as a fertility treatment. It helps to produce progesterone which is important for the development of the placenta during the pregnancy term. But it has another use and that is in the administration of what is known as the HCG diet. The HCG diet, in simple terms, consists of administering injections or sub-lingual tablets of the hormone while placing a 500-calorie per day food intake restriction on the participant. Many of the diet’s supporters claim that it is extremely effective in reaching their weight loss goals, but are there any side effects to this diet? There are not many but a few minor ones. Let’s examine further.

Some report headaches and mood swings which are more than likely because of reduced calorie intake. This happens when participants reduce all calories to include the important ones. For example, you need carbohydrates to help with brain functioning but what many do is cut them out altogether. Instead, you should go for the complex carbohydrates like those found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products. These digest slower and don’t give you the elevated blood sugar levels that normally result in weight gain.
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Fans of the HCG diet report that they have had excellent weight loss results when they follow all of the directions made by the experts. The diet consists of taking injections of Human Chorio Gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone occurring in pregnant women, and then complying with a diet that places a limit of 500 calories per day on the participants. This is known as the Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD). Only two meals (lunch and dinner) are eaten on this diet and you are restricted as to what you can eat. What follows is some of the food allowed on the VLCD.

Fish is highly recommended on this diet. This is because fish is high in nutrients and protein while only contributing very few calories to a meal. The fatty acid Omega-3 is provided by some types of fish so you also derive benefits for your heart and circulatory system. The recommended types of fish include crab meat, shrimp, red snapper, and white fish such as cod. You are only allowed 100 grams of one type of fish for each of the two meals: lunch and dinner.
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It’s great to buy a book that outlines all your meals day by day, unless you’ve ever tried one. First, you spend hours grocery shopping at five different stores to find all of the ingredients, things that you’ve never even heard of before! Second, you spend so much money on food for the week because there are no two ingredients the same in any meal. Finally, you realize that you cannot afford to continue wasting your time, money, and a lot of food and completely give up on the diet.

Believe it or not, there are many ways you can keep to your diet and eat healthy without blowing your budget. The following tips will help you to eat better:

• Avoid eating out for every meal! It’s totally ok to eat out on occasion, but when you are not making the food, it’s hard to know what’s in the food and how it’s prepared. In addition, eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner can really hurt the budget! Bring meals and snacks to work or elsewhere, that way you can ensure that they are cheap and healthy!

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