HCG Phase 3 (Maintenance Phase) with trouble...
Hi everyone,
I started Phase 3 of the HCG protocol diet (Phase 1 of the maintenance phase) and joined up on this site about a week ago. If you're not familiar with this phase, I should be eating at least 1500 calories a day, but with 0g sugar and starch.
I thought this phase would be easy, but thanks to this site, I've realized I can't seem to get anywhere near 1500 calories a day. I'm more around 600-900 a day. The only times I came close were two times I ate out at restaurants; maybe they used super fatty methods to cook my steak?
I worked incredibly hard to correctly get through Phase 2, and did not cheat a single time! Now I'm worried that because I'm not eating enough, my hypothalamus won't reset and all my work will be for naught.
To make matters worse, I'm an extremely picky eater, and I work all day long and my boss disapproves of snacking all day. I get one 15-20 minute lunch break, and that's it. Does anyone have any suggestions of what to eat to get my calorie count up? Remember, it can't have any form of sugar or starch.
Thanks in advance!
After-note: After doing a search for other HCG posts in the forums, I've noticed a lot of members posting extremely rude comments about this topic. I ask you to please refrain from doing this here; I have my reasons for doing HCG, the main one being that I was highly medicated for about 12 years, and my metabolism was rendered almost completely useless, so much so that if I even ate celery, I would gain weight. After consulting with doctors and nutritionists, the decision to use HCG was made, mainly in hopes to reset my metabolism, and I do not need negative derision about my choice. What I need is positive, helpful encouragement and advice. Thank you for refraining from posting if you disagree with my decisions.
I'm not going to be rude about it, but I am going to say that you should consider an alternative eating plan.
0 g of sugars and starch is simply unsustainable and unhealthy.
I understand you claim to have your reasons for it and all that, but the fact remains that is not a healthy, sustainable diet.
Original Post by armandounc:
I'm not going to be rude about it, but I am going to say that you should consider an alternative eating plan.
0 g of sugars and starch is simply unsustainable and unhealthy.
I understand you claim to have your reasons for it and all that, but the fact remains that is not a healthy, sustainable diet.
Thank you for your reply. The no sugar, no starch phase is only for another 2 weeks, and then, as according to the protocol, I will be adding both back in gradually.
HCG was my last resort, and I did not choose to do it lightly. Because I still have residual medication in my system, I was actually cautioned before I started that I would not lose even half as much weight as others on this diet. This proved true, and I'm glad, because it was not as shocking to my body as it is to others. As I mentioned, my main goal is just to reset my metabolism, and then my body will start to respond to exercise and the healthy eating habits I already have.
So are you basically trying to get all calories from protein and/or fat sources so as to avoid carbs? I'm assuming the 0 g is a hard rule so no fruits either?
Have you thought about buying protein powder and drinking some protein shakes?
Original Post by armandounc:
So are you basically trying to get all calories from protein and/or fat sources so as to avoid carbs? I'm assuming the 0 g is a hard rule so no fruits either?
Have you thought about buying protein powder and drinking some protein shakes?
Yes, most of the calories I'm getting are all coming from protein, healthy fats (I use extra virgin olive oil), dairy, and vegetables. I can have certain low-sugar fruits, since of course everyone needs some, so I've been sticking with apples each day. Most of my diet consists of vegetables, but as you know, the calories just don't add up to much at the end of the day.
An average day for me looks like this:
12 oz of meat (usually chicken, lean ground beef, or steak)
1-2 apples
8-12 servings of different kinds of vegetables
3-4 Tbsp olive oil (used in cooking vegetables)
4 oz of unprocessed cheese
Any ideas are welcome!
You're really limiting your options with the no carb thing. If you are struggling to get calories I would recommend you look into a protein powder to get extra cals w/o any carbs. Other than that really just stick to your meats and veggies. I'm sure it gets old quick, but I don't really see what else you could eat that has no carbs in it. Maybe cheat a little and get some hummus? You could snack on carrots and hummus or broccoli and hummus or any veggie and hummus and it's delicious, healthy, and filling.
Nuts! An easy (and healthy and no sugar/starch) way to up the calories. Try almonds or walnuts (my personal recommendations). Plus, they're portable and fairly unobtrusive as a snack.
Hard boiled eggs are great: I boil a dozen every Sunday and go through them by the end of each week.
Edamame are a great snack (shelled or in the pod).
You could add protein powder and/or yogurt and maybe some ground flax seeds with a cup or two of berries (low sugar) to make a smoothie in the morning, or as a dessert or snack.
Also, try some fatty fish like salmon (wild). It has naturally occuring Omega 3s and is absolutely delicious.
Try eating a serving of nuts 2x day (morning and afternoon snack, perhaps with an apple?), and you'll be up over 300 cals. Peanut butter is also helpful at the end of the day if you realize you're under on calories: 2tbs is around 200 calories, and is very dense, so you could even cram in 6-9tbs without feeling too full if you need to get the calories in.
Yogurt has sugar.
But yes nuts is a great idea. I don't know how I forgot about those!
Original Post by armandounc:
If you are struggling to get calories I would recommend you look into a protein powder to get extra cals w/o any carbs.
That was a wonderful idea. After reading that, I went straight out and bought a huge jar. The taste leaves something to be desired, since I can't mix it with any bananas or flavor enhancers, but it'll definitely work! Thank you!
Original Post by dynamicthoughts:
Nuts! An easy (and healthy and no sugar/starch) way to up the calories. Try almonds or walnuts (my personal recommendations). Plus, they're portable and fairly unobtrusive as a snack.
Hard boiled eggs are great: I boil a dozen every Sunday and go through them by the end of each week.
Edamame are a great snack (shelled or in the pod).
You could add protein powder and/or yogurt and maybe some ground flax seeds with a cup or two of berries (low sugar) to make a smoothie in the morning, or as a dessert or snack.
Also, try some fatty fish like salmon (wild). It has naturally occuring Omega 3s and is absolutely delicious.
Try eating a serving of nuts 2x day (morning and afternoon snack, perhaps with an apple?), and you'll be up over 300 cals. Peanut butter is also helpful at the end of the day if you realize you're under on calories: 2tbs is around 200 calories, and is very dense, so you could even cram in 6-9tbs without feeling too full if you need to get the calories in.
Nuts! How could I have forgotten about nuts! I'm not a huge nut eater, but they're a perfect solution to some discreet snacking in the office. I went right to the supermarket and bought almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and pecans, and just finished eating 1 serving of everything. I'm about to enter it in my Food Log, and am very excited. Thank you for your advice!
Original Post by dabadger:
I was on the HCG diet for two months and lost 35 pounds. I did not do the 3 phase and I have continued to lose staying on 1200 calorie diet. :) hope it helps
That's wonderful for you. I hope you manage to keep it off!
Thanks to the suggestions above, yesterday and today I had no problems getting the 1500 calories I require. I appreciate everyone's help!
Cocoa Crack is the answer! Melt 3 tablespoons organic pure virgin etc Coconut Oil, add stevia to taste and peppermint or other flavouring, then mix in 1 and 1/2 tablespoons raw organic Cacao Powder (oil and powder from the health food shop). Pour in chocolate moulds or ice cube trays and freeze for 20 mins. Pop in mouth during the day, I'm sure your boss won't notice, they will melt in your mouth in an instant. They are delicious and good for you (google the benefits of coconut oil and raw cacao powder) and an easy way to get calories/good fats in. Enjoy!
PS: I'm also in phase 3 and stabilising well. I'm going to do a second round as well. Have been ecstatic with the results.
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I also am in Phase 3 of the HCG diet. Your starting comment sounds exactly like me! I never cheated one time. I did not lose all of the weight I had hoped to lose though. I will say that I did/am going through a clinic doing this. But I too am having a hard time getting enough calories. With the clinic they give me a list of foods to eat. I am not supposed to eat anything that is not on the list...., so I am stuck trying to figure it all out. I can email the clinic for help, which is nice. I wish you the best in getting through this diet and hope it works well for you.
LOL, now I see that your post was a long time ago!! Hope you lost and kept the weight off!
