HCG Diet Frequently Asked Questions
The 800 Calorie HCG Diet Plan can help you lose weight quickly and safely. I’ve successfully treated thousands of patients in my Miami, FL office using this plan. Here I will answer some frequently asked questions about the HCG diet, HCG drops, and HCG injections.
What sets Dr. Lipman’s HCG product apart from the rest?
My 800 calorie HCG drops and injections are proprietary formulas using the purest, highest quality ingredients. They have all proven very effective for my patients over the past 40 years. My HCG formulas may not always be the lowest price, but they will always have the highest quality and diet effects.
What is the difference between prescription and non-prescription HCG?
Prescription HCG drops and injections are the most effective. They require a personal evaluation by a physician.
What is the difference between prescription HCG drops and injections?
Dr. Simeons’ original HCG protocol from 1954 used HCG injections daily. These injections were prepared from purified HCG powder. In the early 2000’s, researchers found you could achieve the same blood levels of HCG by taking it sublingually (under the tongue) twice a day. One cannot swallow HCG because the acid in the stomach destroys the protein in the HCG hormone. Our experience finds little difference in weight loss between prescription strength HCG injections and HCG Drops. I offer both prescription strength HCG in drops, injections, and even HCG pellets.
Is HCG safe for men?
The HCG hormone is safe for men. In fact, men achieve even faster results and tend to lose more weight than women.
Why doesn’t HCG cause pregnant women to lose weight?
HCG works to mobilize fat for utilization by the body only when there is a significant decrease in calories and fat. For weight loss, a very low calorie diet consisting of all the right foods triggers HCG to help rid the body of fat.
Will my metabolism slow down on a very low calorie diet like the HCG Diet?
Normally, when cutting back on calories and fat, our body stores fat and our metabolism slows down. This happens because fat is a life-saving source of stored energy. When a person consumes a very low calorie diet in conjunction with HCG, the hormone signals the body to use stored fat for energy, eliminating excess fat storage.
Wouldn’t I lose the same amount of weight eating a very low calorie diet without HCG injections or drops?
You can lose weight simply by eating fewer calories, fewer carbs, and less fat. However, because the body stores fat during times of deprivation, you will most likely lose muscle and bone before fat. This causes cellular metabolism to slow down. Therefore, in the end it would make gaining weight easier, as well as decrease bone density and muscle mass. By using HCG with the low calorie diet, the body mobilizes extra fat to be used as energy and the rest is eliminated.
The HCG diet is very low calorie. Will I get hungry?
It is common to feel mild hunger during the first few days. This will pass. By the second week, you will find your servings to be satisfying. Because HCG mobilizes fat and makes it available to the body as an energy source, it naturally reduces appetite.
Where Can I Find the Foods for the HCG Diet?
Almost all of the foods for the HCG diet are available in every supermarket. The 800 Calorie HCG Diet contains shopping lists of the foods you will need. You can find even more choices in my Amazon.com HCG Food Storefront. In addition, you can find HCG-friendly foods in many restaurants.
Will HCG injections or HCG drops interfere with any medications I am currently taking? What about birth control pills or Depo-Provera injections?
HCG does not interact with other medications. You are free to take your usual medications as prescribed by your physician.
Can I take HCG injections or HCG drops if I’m pregnant?
If you are pregnant or become pregnant during the HCG diet, STOP taking HCG and consult your physician.
How much weight can I expect to lose on the HCG Diet?
Some people will lose up to 30 pounds, other less. Everyone is different. The amount of weight loss depends on many factors including how much excess weight you have, your age and gender. Often, people lose 7-14 lbs in the first week. People that have recently dieted will lose weight more slowly since the metabolism has already slowed down.
Will my weight loss slow down after the first two weeks?
Patients often experience a large amount of weight loss in the first week, then a plateau in which their weight loss levels off. This does not mean that your weight loss has stopped. Typically, inches are being lost continuously while on the program. After a short period of time, patients will experience another large drop on the scale. It’s common for patients to achieve weight loss in this stair-step fashion throughout the program. This is why we focus on average weight lost over the course of the entire program rather than day-to-day.
Is it OK to skip a meal or protein at one of my meals?
No, you should not skip meals because you will end up with a low blood sugar, become weak and dizzy, and perhaps eat more. A protein bar or shake can substitute for a meal.
Do I have to take vitamins while on the HCG diet?
A good multi-vitamin helps. However, make sure it is sugar free and has no fat-soluble ingredients like fish oils. I also recommend potassium, especially if you experience leg cramps, which can be common while on this diet.
Do HCG injections or drops cause headaches?
Some people may experience light headaches during the first week. This is the result of:
- Your body releasing fat cells very rapidly
- A substantial decrease in sugar intake
- The fact you will be going through a major detox
You may take an Aspirin, Advil, or Tylenol as long as it is not sugar coated.
How do I determine net carbs and the 2 + 2 rule from a Food Label?
Look at the calories first when you are making food choices. The total fat and sugar should each be less than 2-3 grams. When either fat or sugar is slightly greater than 2 grams follow the 2 +2 rule: the sugar and fat added together should be less than 4.
If the sugar meets this test, the next test is “net carbs”. Net carbs are the carbs actually absorbed by the body and should be 10 grams or less per portion:
NET CARBS = Total Carbohydrate – Dietary Fiber – Sugar Alcohols* – Splenda**
* Sugar alcohols are non-absorbable fillers such as mannitol, sorbitol and erythritol that manufacturers add to diet products. Since they are not absorbed, they have no impact on blood sugar, metabolism, or hunger. Ingesting too many of them could cause intestinal gas and cramps.
** Splenda counts as 2 grams. The Nutrition Facts label does not list Splenda (also known as sucralose); you will need to check the ingredients.
What is in each of Dr. Lipman’s HCG Kits?
Whether you take the HCG hormone by injection, drops, or pellets, you will need several further items to complete the diet. In this video, I review each HCG kit and its contents.