Fitness Magazine

What is the Modern hCG 2.0 Diet and Why is It Successful?

By Kenin Bassart @Constantramble

HCG 2.0 is what many consider a contemporary revision of the revolutionary diet that was first founded by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons over 60 years ago. Although the first diet created by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons and featured in his book, ‘Pounds and Inches Away’, remains a viable choice for many people, things have changed due to modern research. Undeniable strides have been made in how diets are viewed and utilized. Such tweaks have been added to the hCG diet to create what many refer to as the new hCG diet 2.0 food list.

What is hCG 2.0?

Dr. Zach LaBoube, founder of InsideOut Wellness and Weight Loss and author of ‘Don’t Starve, Eat Smart and Lose: A Modern Adaptation of the Traditional HCG Diet. HCG 2.0’  has successfully taken the original hCG food list and diet and improved on the whole concept. He has taken currently research about topics such as the high protein diets of the Inuit Cultures, the low-carb Ketosis diet, and the modernized food statistics released by the Estimated Glycemic Load, Fullness Factor and Caloric Ratios to improve the hCG diet so that it is far safer and more realistic for modern-day working adults.

Understanding the Original hCG Diet

The basis of the original hCG diet remains the same. HCG, also known as Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, is a pregnancy hormone. Its key function is to help a pregnant woman’s metabolism effectively break down the systemic fat. Supplementing the human body with hCG when not pregnant also spurs the body to unlock fat reserves when used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet.

Fat Reserves are a Survival Mechanism

What is the Modern hCG 2.0 Diet and Why is it Successful?
The fat reserves in the human body are a survival mechanism. They help individuals withstand long winters and times of famine. Unfortunately, the human body still harbors fat reserves for survival. This makes dieting difficult and, today, almost impossible because of the sedentary lifestyle that most individuals live and the poor dietary choices. Many people also simply have a genetic predisposition to harbor fat. Following the hCG 2.0 meal plan which involves consuming significantly lower calories while taking hCG drops the body is spurred to react like the metabolism of a pregnant woman.

Metabolism Boost and Reform

The hCG unlocks the body’s ability to metabolize its fat reserves when faced with a low-calorie hCG food list. Your body uses only the fat reserves and does not cannibalize muscle with the hCG 2.0 diet, according to Dr. Zach LaBoube, the author of HCG 2.0 and the pioneer of the contemporary diet plan version. The process is known as ketosis. The body’s fat reserves are effectively transformed into usable calories. When your body uses its own fat reserves you do not feel hungry but instead feel full. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin effectively resets the body’s metabolism by encouraging your body to use its stored fat.

HCG 2.0 Diet Versus the Traditional hCG Diet

The Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is used to determine exactly how many calories you can consume with the hCG diet 2.0 food list. With the traditional hCG diet, dieters were only allowed to consume 500 calories per day. It did not matter if the dieter was male or female, big or small. The traditional diet was extremely strict. HCG 2.0 focuses on basic food chemistry to offer more protein options. The hCG 2.0 meal plan also allows increased portion sizes that have higher nutritional value. The entire hCG food list contains no empty calories. Instead, the foods used in the diet are all nutrient-rich sources of fuel for the body.

Grams Versus Calories

The traditional hCG diet designed by Dr. Simeons relied on grams for measurement of portions instead of calories. Modern research has shown that this is not an ideal way to determine calories. A 100-gram serving of lean beef contains roughly 248 calories, but 100 grams of salmon contains about 146 calories. Weighing food by grams is not an accurate indicator of how many calories an item contains. With the new 2.0 dietary hCG plan, this is factored in.

Protein and Carbs

The 1950s diet version by Dr. Simeons allowed carbs up to 80 grams of carbs from fruit, vegetables, and breadsticks. However, it did not provide an adequate level of protein for most working men. The carbs and low protein slows weight loss and leaves the dieter hungry.  Although the traditional Human Chorionic Gonadotropin based diet has been very successful throughout the decades it is very hard for many modern dieters and maybe a slower path towards weight loss for many compared to the new hCG 2.0 diet plan.

HCG 2.0 Meal Plan

What is the Modern hCG 2.0 Diet and Why is it Successful?
The hCG 2.0 meal plan varies considerably from the traditional dietary protocol. Here are a few basic hCG 2.0 food list changes that most modern dieters find easier:

  • Additional Breakfast Protein: For breakfast, you can enjoy 15 to 20 grams of lean protein.
  • Snack: Before bed, it is suggested that you enjoy a lean protein, low-carb snack before bed to improve your sleep.
  • Protein: Not only can you enjoy larger portion sizes, but the items are leaner than the traditional hCG choices. Your choices can include tuna, egg whites, or bison.
  • Vegetables: The hCG diet 2.0 food list includes a wide variety of vegetables such as root veggies. Onions, peppers, and broccoli are all allowed within your hCG 2.0 recipes

The new hCG 2.0 has become the standard for modern hCG dieters. It is highly successful. You can experience rapid weight loss without starving.

The Basic hCG 2.0 Diet Protocol

Day 1-2

This is known as the ‘Loading Phase’ of the hCG 2.0 diet. During this 48-hour period, you can consume ample healthy fats such as cheese, seeds, nuts, coconut oil, and butter. Increase your protein intake and enjoy more servings of vegetables. During this initial and crucial first step of the diet, you eat until you are filled and satisfied. With the 2.0 hCG Loading Phase, you focus on consuming foods that are rich in Omega 3 and fats but with very few carbs. This differs from the traditional hCG diet’s Loading Phase that encouraged carb consumption.

Day 2- Day 21

This phase is known as the Ketogenic Protocol. This is where you are going to start shedding your unwanted pounds.

You are going to determine how many calories you can consume using your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). You will find a variety of BMR calculators online that quickly calculate your height and weight to arrive at your BMR score. Then take your BMR score x 0.4 = your calorie allowance per day.  Once you know how many calories per day you can consume then you will need to figure out which foods meet your calorie requirements

Your calorie intake will be made up predominately of protein and fats with only about 1 ounce (30 grams) of carbs per day.

Stabilization Weeks

During Weeks 3 to 6, often referred to as the stabilization weeks or phase 2, you will eat absolutely no sugars, starches, or alcohol.

All foods are permissible.

Breakfast

You should consume a high protein breakfast that has very low calories within 30 minutes of waking up.

Beverages:  You can enjoy coffee or tea with no sugar. If you have a sweet tooth, then you can use Stevia to sweeten. You may also use one tablespoon of milk every 24 hours.

Lunch

You will combine your lunch protein with vegetables.

Your hCG 2.0 food list choices include:

  • Lean beef
  • Veal
  • Shrimp
  • Crab
  • Tofu
  • Turkey
  • Lean pork loin
  • Salmon
  • Chicken breast
  • Tuna
  • Fresh white fish
  • Chicken breast

Remember to always cut away all fat from any meat. You must broil or grill the meats and use no fats to cook.

Vegetables

You cannot exceed 30g of veggies per day. Your carbs should be maintained at under 30g per day. You can grill, steam, or boil the vegetables if you do not wish to consume them raw. You can add veggies to both lunch and dinner.

  • Onions – Red, brown, spring, or white
  • Cabbage
  • Chard
  • Fennel
  • Chicory
  • Beetroot Greens
  • Capsicum
  • Asparagus
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Edamame
  • Green Beans
  • Cucumbers
  • Mushrooms
  • Avocado
  • Tomato
  • Spinach
  • Zucchini

Dinner

For dinner, you will combine one of the above protein choices with a veggie.

The ‘Don’ts’ of the hCG Recipes

No Fruits Allowed With the hCG 2.0 meal plan

No sugars are allowed with the hCG 2.0 diet

HCG Diet Drink Choices

Here are the drink choices that you can enjoy the diet plan:

  • Water
  • Herbal tea
  • Herbal coffee
  • Mineral water
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Zero calorie drinks such as dietary protein diets

The juice of one lemon per day can be added to a beverage. Stevia can also be used in small doses.

Exercise is Encouraged

What is the Modern hCG 2.0 Diet and Why is it Successful?
When dieting, it is encouraged that you exercise every day. Ideally, 20 to 30 minutes of walking before you eat breakfast is a great way to wake up and promote your body’s metabolism.

Weighing In Times

With the hCG 2.0 diet and some other diets, you are encouraged to weigh yourself only once per week. By weighing only once per week you will notice a dramatic weight loss which will provide you with a true sense of accomplishment.

By teaching yourself smart diet choices your metabolism is not only reset but you learn healthy hCG2 2.0 recipes that you will rely on to successfully maintain your newly achieved weight loss.  The contemporary hCG dietary version is an appealing option for most modern dieters.


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