HCG Diet Protocol Terminology
Many people have become familiar with Dr. Simeon’s HCG Diet Protocol in recent years as the diet has gained a reputation for being an effective, rapid weight loss program. However, there is also a good deal of confusion regarding basic terminology associated with the diet. If you need to learn more or simply want some clarification, keep on reading.
Gorge days / Load days– first 2 days of the diet – take HCG and eat lots of high fat food
A Round of the HCG Diet Protocol – 21 to 40 days of taking HCG and adhering to the Very Low-Calorie Diet followed by 6 weeks of maintenance.
VLCD – Very Low-Calorie Diet phase, also called P2 or Phase 2
Maintenance Phase –Time period after completing the Very Low-Calorie Diet phase, also called P3 or Phase 3
First three weeks – No sugars, no starches
Second three weeks – Sugars and starches slowly introduced back into diet
Trudeau Phase 1 – Author, Kevin Trudeau, added to Dr Simeons’ Protocol. Not required for successful weight loss but has health benefits. This phase includes cleansings, switching to organic food, organic herbal tea, vitamins, and other dietary changes as a detox precluding the VLCD.
Trudeau Phase 2 – Dr. Simeons’ Very Low-Calorie Diet phase
Trudeau Phase 3 – Dr. Simeons’ “Maintenance” phase
Trudeau Phase 4 – “Lifetime Maintenance” – Trudeau has approx. 50 steps to follow including eating only organic foods, various cleanses, etc.
Effective HCG Day – Effective HCG days do not include gorge days; only non-cheating very low-calorie diet HCG days are considered effective HCG days.
Steak Day – Used in Maintenance/Phase 3 and lifetime if weight goes above 2 lbs. more than last HCG weight. Skip breakfast and lunch but take plenty to drink. In the evening, eat a huge steak with only an apple or a raw tomato.
Apple Day – Used during the VLCD/Phase 2 to break a plateau. An apple day begins at lunch and continues until just before lunch of the following day. Clients may have up to six large apples and are told to eat an apple or a piece of one when hungry, with a maximum of six apples allowed. During an apple-day no other food or liquids except plain water are allowed and of water they may only drink just enough to quench an uncomfortable thirst.
Mini Steak Day – Used during the VLCD/Phase 2 to break a plateau. Don’t eat all day but take plenty to drink. For the evening meal, eat a 100-gram lean steak with all visible fat removed with an apple or raw tomato.
