HCG Protocol Diet

Human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, is a hormone produced by women during the early stages of pregnancy. The HCG Protocol Diet is the brainchild of Dr. Albert T. Simeons, who stated more than 50 years ago that HCG injections would let dieters live comfortably on just 500 calories per day. He argued that HCG worked as an appetite suppressant that would redistribute fat more evenly across the body. The diet has many restrictions, and critics question Dr. Simeons' HCG claims as well as the safety of his weight loss plan.

Eating Plan

Eating options are extremely limited with the HCG Diet. Breakfast is tea or coffee without sugar, although artificial sweetener can be used. For lunch or dinner you can eat extremely lean meat, one serving of your choice of 14 different vegetables, a bread stick or piece of melba toast and one serving of fruit that is either an apple, orange, strawberries or a grapefruit. If you want a snack, you must utilize your lunch or dinner options and spread them out across the course of the day.

Food and Personal Care Restrictions

No medicines or cosmetics other than aspirin, birth control, lipstick, eyebrow pencil and powder may be used. Suntan lotions or creams are not allowed as they contain fatty ingredients. In terms of food intake, only 1 tbsp. of milk is allowed in 24 hours and tea, coffee and water are the only beverages that can be consumed. The juice of one lemon as well as a variety of seasonings may be used, but butter, oil and salad dressings cannot.

HCG Shot

A daily injection of 125 iu of HCG is self-administered or administered by a doctor for up to 40 days. The duration of the injections will vary according to the weight loss goal. Women must continue with the diet but stop the injections during menstruation.

Scam Alert

There is no scientific evidence to support the claims that HCG promotes weight loss. There is no doubt, however, that the near-starvation diet will lead to weight loss while also depriving the body of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, which can cause serious damage and have adverse health effects.

According to the website Dietscam.org, since 1976 the Federal Trade Commission has required a label on HCG vials that reads as follows: "HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or 'normal' distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets."