Summary of the HCG Protocol
Phase 2: Very Low Calorie Diet
Diet – (VLCD Phase)
Day 3. taking HCG drops for a minimum of 23 days - maximum 42 days. 500 calorie diet
Dr. Simeons called these the first days of treatment as these are your first days on the HCG and the very low calorie diet. In this phase, you will follow this VERY specific diet and weigh everyday to ensure you are progressing as you should be in order to achieve maximum weight loss.
The Food : You can eat this food and ONLY this food. NO substitutions!
Breakfast
Tea or coffee in any quantity without sugar. Only one tablespoonful of milk allowed in 24 hours. Saccharin (brand name Sweet ‘n’ Low) or Stevia may be used.
Lunch
1. 100 grams of veal, beef, chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab, or shrimp. All visible fat must be carefully removed before cooking, and the meat must be weighed raw. It must be boiled or grilled without additional fat. Salmon, eel, tuna*, herring, dried or pickled fish are not allowed. The chicken breast must be off the bone.
One type of vegetable only to be chosen from the following: spinach, chard, chicory, beet-greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage.
3. One breadstick (grissino), one Melba toast, or 2 Melba “snacks” (original, garlic, whole grain, or sesame flavored)
4. An apple or a handful of strawberries or one-half grapefruit or 1 orange.
Dinner
The same four choices as lunch. But not the same meat as you had for lunch.
Other Dietary Notes:
· The juice of one lemon daily is allowed for all purposes.
· For spices, NATURAL salt, pepper, vinegar, mustard powder, garlic, sweet basil, parsley, thyme, marjoram, etc., may be used for seasoning, but no oil, butter or dressing.
· The fruit or the breadstick may be eaten between meals instead of with lunch or dinner, but not more than four items listed for lunch and dinner may be eaten at one meal.
· NO MIXING of vegetables.
· Vegetable MUST be eaten with the protein.
Drinks
Tea, coffee, plain water, or mineral water are the only drinks allowed, but they may be taken in any quantity and at all times, about 2 liters of these fluids per day. Many are afraid to drink so much because they fear that this may make them retain more water. This is a wrong notion as the body is more inclined to store water when the intake falls below its normal requirements.
Spices
For spices, NATURAL salt, pepper, vinegar, mustard powder, garlic, sweet basil, parsley, thyme, marjoram, etc., may be used for seasoning, but no oil, butter or dressing.
Sweeteners
For a sweetenerStevia and saccarin, brand name Sweet ‘n’ Low may be used and is also allowed in any quantity.
Cosmetics and Hygiene
NOTHING with oils, fats, vitamins, gels, etc. should be eaten or put on the skin. Mineral oil and baby oil can be used to moisturize while on the HCG diet.
Exercise
No exercise is required while on the VLCD phase of the HCG diet. In fact, you are discouraged from starting something new, except walking. Light excercising only; walking, yoga, stretching.
Notes
In the first week it is normal to have a slight headache (aspirin is allowed) as you are detoxing from sugars, soda, chemicals, etc. You may also feel slightly hungry and a little tired up to day 5 on the VLCD phase of the HCG diet. Again, THIS IS NORMAL and will get better around day 7 when your abnormal fats stores are finally circulating enough fat to feed your body and mind.
Finishing Phase 2, transitioning to 3rd phase
Somewhere between 21 and 42 days of taking the HCG drops, whenever you decide to stop the VLCD Phase continue on the 500 calorie a day diet for the next 3 days, but STOP taking the HCG drops. This is to let the HCG exit your system. If you do NOT do these last three days, YOU WILL GAIN.
Your HCG drops will keep in the refrigerator for up to 6 month. You might want to refrigerate your drops in case you decide to do another course of the protocol.
