On HCG...Do I have to eat it all?

[silkandsand]

I wasn't expecting to think this seems like a lot of food...but it does! 100 grams of chicken (I weighed it raw) and then 100 grams of spinach, which I am eating raw and 1 green apple seems like a lot more food than I need. I haven't even gotten my bread stick out of the package because this seems like a lot of food. Am I delusional? I don't know if I can finish this. Do I have to?

Has anyone else experienced this and will I think I am nuts later and want to chew my leg off?

I think I loaded really well.

In any case, I am not hungry.

[mybigbutt]

He says in P&I that you don't have to. Like one of the other ladies said, I would not skip the protein though. As long as you aren't way under on cals all the time it should be fine.

I don't eat the grissini ever because of gluten issues and don't always eat my veggies because I am tired of the couple I like that we can have.

[debkeversole]

posted in the other thread too but 100 grams doesn't apply to your veggies

The Diet

The 500 Calorie diet is explained on the day of the second injection to those patients who will be preparing their own food, and it is most important that the person who will actually cook is present - the wife, the mother or the cook, as the case may be. Here in Italy patients are given the following diet sheet.

BREAKFAST:


Tea or coffee in any quantity without sugar. Only one tablespoonful of milk allowed in 24 hours. Saccharin or other sweeteners may be used.



LUNCH:


1.

100 grams of veal, beef, chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab, or shrimp. All visible fat must be carefully removed before cooking, and the meat must be weighed raw. It must be boiled or grilled without additional fat. Salmon, eel, tuna, herring, dried or pickled fish are not allowed. The chicken breast must be removed raw from the bird.
2.

One type of vegetable only to be chosen from the following: spinach, chard, chicory, beet-greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage.
3.

One breadstick (grissino) or one Melba toast.
4.

An apple or an orange or a handful of strawberries or one-half grapefruit.

DINNER :


The same four choices as lunch.

The juice of one lemon daily is allowed for all purposes. Salt, pepper, vinegar, mustard powder, garlic, sweet basil, parsley, thyme, majoram, etc., may be used for seasoning, but no oil, butter or dressing.

Tea, coffee, plain water, or mineral water are the only drinks allowed, but they may be taken in any quantity and at all times.

In fact, the patient should drink about 2 liters of these fluids per day. Many patients are afraid to drink so much because they fear that this may make them retain more water. This is a wrong notion as the body is more inclined to store water when the intake falls below its normal requirements.

The fruit or the breadstick may be eaten between meals instead of with lunch or dinner, but not more than than four items listed for lunch and dinner may be eaten at one meal.

No medicines or cosmetics other than lipstick, eyebrow pencil and powder may be used without special permission

Every item in the list is gone over carefully, continually stressing the point that no variations other than those listed may be introduced. All things not listed are forbidden, and the patient is assured that nothing permissible has been left out. The 100 grams of meat must he scrupulously weighed raw after all visible fat has been removed. To do this accurately the patient must have a letter-scale, as kitchen scales are not sufficiently accurate and the butcher should certainly not be relied upon. Those not uncommon patients who feel that even so little food is too much for them, can omit anything they wish.

There is no objection to breaking up the two meals. For instance having a breadstick and an apple for breakfast or an orange before going to bed, provided they are deducted from the regular meals. The whole daily ration of two breadsticks or two fruits may not be eaten at the same time, nor can any item saved from the previous day be added on the following day. In the beginning patients are advised to check every meal against their diet sheet before starting to eat and not to rely on their memory. It is also worth pointing out that any attempt to observe this diet without HCG will lead to trouble in two to three days. We have had cases in which patients have proudly flaunted their dieting powers in front of their friends without mentioning the fact that they are also receiving treatment with HCG. They let their friends try the same diet, and when this proves to be a failure - as it necessarily must - the patient starts raking in unmerited kudos for superhuman willpower.

It should also be mentioned that two small apples weighing as much as one large one never the less have a higher caloric value and are therefore not allowed though there is no restriction on the size of one apple. Some people do not realize that a tangerine is not an orange and that chicken breast does not mean the breast of any other fowl, nor does it mean a wing or drumstick.

The most tiresome patients are those who start counting Calories and then come up with all manner of ingenious variations which they compile from their little books. When one has spent years of weary research trying to make a diet as attractive as possible without jeopardizing the loss of weight, culinary geniuses who are out to improve their unhappy lot are hard to take.
Making up the Calories

The diet used in conjunction with HCG must not exceed 500 Calories per day, and the way these Calories are made up is of utmost importance. For instance, if a patient drops the apple and eats an extra breadstick instead, he will not be getting more Calories but he will not lose weight. There are a number of foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, which have the same or even lower caloric values than those listed as permissible, and yet we find that they interfere with the regular loss of weight under HCG, presumably owing to the nature of their composition. Pimiento peppers, okra, artichokes and pears are examples of this.

While this diet works satisfactorily in Italy, certain modifications have to be made in other countries. For instance, American beef has almost double the caloric value of South Italian beef, which is not marbled with fat. This marbling is impossible to remove. In America, therefore, low-grade veal should be used for one meal and fish (excluding all those species such as herring, mackerel, tuna, salmon, eel, etc., which have a high fat content, and all dried, smoked or pickled fish), chicken breast, lobster, crawfish, prawns, shrimps, crabmeat or kidneys for the other meal. Where the Italian breadsticks, the so-called grissini, are not available, one Melba toast may be used instead, though they are psychologically less satisfying. A Melba toast has about the same weight as the very porous grissini which is much more to look at and to chew.

In many countries specially prepared unsweetened and low Calorie foods are freely available, and some of these can be tentatively used. When local conditions or the feeding habits of the population make changes necessary it must be borne in mind that the total daily intake must not exceed 500 Calories if the best possible results are to be obtained, that the daily ration should contain 200 grams of fat-free protein and a very small amount of starch.

Just as the daily dose of HCG is the same in all cases, so the same diet proves to be satisfactory for a small elderly lady of leisure or a hard working muscular giant. Under the effect of HCG the obese body is always able to obtain all the Calories it needs from the abnormal fat deposits, regardless of whether it uses up 1500 or 4000 per day. It must be made very clear to the patient that he is living to a far greater extent on the fat which he is losing than on what he eats.

Many patients ask why eggs are not allowed. The contents of two good sized eggs are roughly equivalent to 100 grams of meat, but fortunately the yolk contains a large amount of fat, which is undesirable. Very occasionally we allow egg - boiled, poached or raw - to patients who develop an aversion to meat, but in this case they must add the white of three eggs to the one they eat whole. In countries where cottage cheese made from skimmed milk is available 100 grams may occasionally be used instead of the meat, but no other cheeses are allowed.

[silkandsand]

Reading

[silkandsand]

Thanks Deb.

OK, I have read this over in P&I the past weeks about 5 times and still do not see where he says how much vegetable. However, I read (UGH...somewhere) that it is 100 grams. Where can I find out the exact portions allowed? I am weighing everything and do not want to deviate from the protocol.

[silkandsand]

I was so concerned that I have added it up in ****** and the total cals are 186...however I didn't have my breadstick.

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by silkandsand

Thanks Deb.

OK, I have read this over in P&I the past weeks about 5 times and still do not see where he says how much vegetable. However, I read (UGH...somewhere) that it is 100 grams. Where can I find out the exact portions allowed? I am weighing everything and do not want to deviate from the protocol.

veggies are very low in calories get a large handful to start weigh if you want too and if you are doing the calorie count look up how much your handful weighed out has in it

i have done 5 rounds and have never counted calories just did my meat veggie fruit and grissini like he said and have done very well with it
i hear ya on the "somewhere" part i have googled and stumbled so much reading everything i can on this so i couldn't tell ya where i found what!

[silkandsand]

Thanks! This helps and you know...the best thing is it got me on ******! When in doubt I can check there.

I have been bleary eyed some nights reading for hours! LOL

Am I reading right that you have lost 90 lbs?! WAY TO GO! Happy releasing to us both!

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by silkandsand

Thanks! This helps and you know...the best thing is it got me on ******! When in doubt I can check there.

I have been bleary eyed some nights reading for hours! LOL

Am I reading right that you have lost 90 lbs?! WAY TO GO! Happy releasing to us both!

about ****** it has the beef counts off almost double the calories so you may have to input it yourself

this may help but i didn't get to watch it all(computer froze up) watch for anything not on protocol

YouTube - hCG P2 food portions..and stuff:)

[walkingwoman]

I custom entered my foods based upon the brands I've selected to use. All of my proteins are labeled, so that came in handy. I buy the bagged spinach and asparagus which are also labeled. Fruits I just weigh and look up the brand and in one case I emailed the grower for info. I'm amazed by how much you really can eat on 500 calories

[silkandsand]

Thanks, Deb! She didn't say how many grams of veggies are ok, either. LOL I will probably be relying on ****** a good deal and for now I plan to stay away from beef. Beef sounds too confusing and iffy to deal with for now. I'll look at it again when I feel more confident.

WW, since I am in Mexico and not using brands but using what the veggie and fruit vendors have and the butcher has I am more limited in that way so I'll probably rely on my food scale and fit day a lot. It really does seem like a big lunch and dinner to me! Ha, but I still managed to finish it.

I still have my bread stick on reserve in case I need a snack, though.

[debkeversole]

YouTube - Shrimp Dinner - HCG Diet Phase 2 Meal Suggestion

[silkandsand]

Wow, that looks good! Thanks! Even she isn't measuring her spinach. Hmmm. I'll stick with the "hand full" guideline.

[Screamer]

S&S:

I figure it this way...

100 grms chicken is approx 162 cal. That means I have 88 cal left on the 250 cal meal.

So I just figure out the amount of grams to add up to the 88 calories.

I can't eat all of the food at once so I leave out some veggies or fruit. I get in all the protein allowed.

HTH

Mi

[wishbone]

Kristina

The papers I got said 3.5 oz of veges. Now I know that I may be the only one who actually weighs their veges....but I really do believe that it more consistant in the long run.
Even strawberries is a good example. Hmmm...1/2 grapefruit is a no brainer. 1 apple is a no brainer. BUT....6-7 lg strawberries. Pretty soon, you start to justify 10-12 med ones. lol
So...1 day I weighed 6-7 berries about 20 different times. using different berries every time. I came up with an average of 6.5 oz. NOW....that is what I measure the berries to EVERY time.

hope this helps

JAN

[silkandsand]

Hi Screamer! OK, this is the end of the day and I have tallied everything on ****** and my cals are 320. I only had one apple and one cracker. Is this ok to be under 500 cals? As I said, I must have loaded really well.

Wishbone, that's what I had read, too...though couldn't tell you where! Do you remember?

[torister]

Originally Posted by wishbone

Kristina

The papers I got said 3.5 oz of veges. Now I know that I may be the only one who actually weighs their veges....but I really do believe that it more consistant in the long run.
Even strawberries is a good example. Hmmm...1/2 grapefruit is a no brainer. 1 apple is a no brainer. BUT....6-7 lg strawberries. Pretty soon, you start to justify 10-12 med ones. lol
So...1 day I weighed 6-7 berries about 20 different times. using different berries every time. I came up with an average of 6.5 oz. NOW....that is what I measure the berries to EVERY time.

hope this helps

JAN

It sure does help. I start VLCD on Sunday. I just ate bfast and I am already

[wishbone]

Originally Posted by silkandsand

Wishbone, that's what I had read, too...though couldn't tell you where! Do you remember?

The 1st time I started the hhcg...I bought it locally. The guy gave me some papers with it that actually came from a local weight loss rejuvenation clinic. Their plan for the drops. But, my papers also say you can eat brocolli and cauliflower. Nobody else's seem to say that. I ate them all thru my 1st round...and had no problem.

JAN

[silkandsand]

Originally Posted by wishbone

The 1st time I started the hhcg...I bought it locally. The guy gave me some papers with it that actually came from a local weight loss rejuvenation clinic. Their plan for the drops. But, my papers also say you can eat brocolli and cauliflower. Nobody else's seem to say that. I ate them all thru my 1st round...and had no problem.

JAN

Interesting! It would be great to have broccoli and cauliflower...but I am pretty determined to stick to Simeon's original protocol for my first round. Have you really lost over 100 lbs?! Di d you do that all on HCG?

[wishbone]

I made my goal 2 years ago on my 50th birthday. Then in the last year I worked my way back up to over 240. I tried everything under the sun. All low carb woe plans. Then I found this. What a savior. I leave that up in my avi so I have to look at it everyday. Keeps me on track. I have 24 pounds to go to get back to that goal.
THEN....I may re-evaluate. Maybe I'll go lower. Time will tell.
Even right now, at 184, I am wearing shorts that I normally could not wear till I was at least 175. Size 12's. This woe is so totally different. I guess they call it POUNDS AND INCHES for a reason. LOL

JAN

[silkandsand]

Originally Posted by wishbone

I made my goal 2 years ago on my 50th birthday. Then in the last year I worked my way back up to over 240. I tried everything under the sun. All low carb woe plans. Then I found this. What a savior. I leave that up in my avi so I have to look at it everyday. Keeps me on track. I have 24 pounds to go to get back to that goal.
THEN....I may re-evaluate. Maybe I'll go lower. Time will tell.
Even right now, at 184, I am wearing shorts that I normally could not wear till I was at least 175. Size 12's. This woe is so totally different. I guess they call it POUNDS AND INCHES for a reason. LOL

JAN

I just changed my stats because it showed I was at 135...alas I am not anymore. I lost 40 lbs on low carb and I loved it, most of the time but it just seemed so hard to maintain and stay LC for me. I don't like the idea of having to be so careful for the rest of my life. That's what is appealing to me about HCG...the idea of resetting my hypothalmus makes sense to me. Low carb also makes sense to me but HCG is very different! I told my DH it is so weird to be checking cals instead of carbs.

We can do this. And you reminded me to measure! How often do you measure?

[walkingwoman]

I'm having a "don't feel like eating" mood this afternoon. I'm going to anyway because I already defrosted the food and can't see wasting it but it is pretty light anyway. I decided to skip my happy hour (headache for some reason??) and will call it an early evening. Snuggle up in bed with my dog and some trashy tv (hopefully).

[wishbone]

Originally Posted by silkandsand

I just changed my stats because it showed I was at 135...alas I am not anymore. I lost 40 lbs on low carb and I loved it, most of the time but it just seemed so hard to maintain and stay LC for me. I don't like the idea of having to be so careful for the rest of my life. That's what is appealing to me about HCG...the idea of resetting my hypothalmus makes sense to me. Low carb also makes sense to me but HCG is very different! I told my DH it is so weird to be checking cals instead of carbs.

We can do this. And you reminded me to measure! How often do you measure?

I never have measured. LOL. I guess I have so many clothes in "varied" sizes....I just go by that.


JAN

[DJ]

o/t but where are y'all finding grissini? i can't seem to find that or melba toast anywhere.

[walkingwoman]

They are in the fresh bread/bakery area in my stores. The melbas are in the cracker aisle.

[silkandsand]

Well, actually...I am using Kavli crispbread and wasa crackers instead. Hope it's ok...can't find melba toast or rissini here.

[debkeversole]

Originally Posted by DJ

o/t but where are y'all finding grissini? i can't seem to find that or melba toast anywhere.

sometimes the grissini is in the pasta aisle found it at food city and earth fare found melba at food city they are also called thin Italian breadsticks

Originally Posted by silkandsand

Well, actually...I am using Kavli crispbread and wasa crackers instead. Hope it's ok...can't find melba toast or rissini here.

i have bran crispbread, wasa crackers, melba ,and grissini stored up for future use

recipe if ya have too

Grissini (Thin Bread Sticks)

Yield: 64 bread sticks

Time:

* Mix: 2 – 10 minutes
* Ferment: 1.5 – 2 hours
* Divide/shape: 10 minutes per 16 bread sticks
* Bake: 25 – 30 minutes per 16 bread sticks

Ingredients:

* 623 g flour
* 397 g water at room temperature
* 6.5 g (2 t.) instant yeast
* 9 g (1.5 t.) salt
* 28 g (2 T.) olive oil
* topping of your choice (I used a mixture of coarse Kosher salt, coarsely-ground pepper, and chopped fennel seed, as suggested by the original recipe)

Method:

1. Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in the bowl of a large food processor. Pulse a few times to combine.
2. Combine the water and olive oil in a liquid measuring cup. With the processor running, add the liquid to the dry ingredients in a steady stream.
3. Process until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 90 seconds.
4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled container. Cover the container and let the dough ferment at room temperature until doubled in volume, about 1.5 – 2 hours.
5. Preheat the oven to 350F. A baking stone and steam are not needed.
6. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Divide the dough into four equal pieces. The steps that follow will be repeated for each of the four pieces. Keep the pieces you’re not working with covered.
8. On a floured counter, roll the dough out into a rectangle about 12 x 8 inches. The exact dimensions are not critical.
9. Cut the dough into 16 strips of equal width. A pizza cutter works very well for this.

#

Fold each strip over on itself (according to Baking Illustrated, this makes it stronger). On an unfloured surface, roll the strip into a long snake. Make it a bit longer than the length of your baking sheet, to allow for spring-back.
# Place the snakes evenly spaced across the width of the parchment-lined baking sheet.
# Lightly spray or brush the grissini with olive oil and sprinkle on the topping.# Bake at 350F for 25 – 30 minutes, until golden brown.
# Cool on a wire rack.

[LeanLioness]

Originally Posted by DJ

o/t but where are y'all finding grissini? i can't seem to find that or melba toast anywhere.

At shop n save I found them with the croutons and Melba toast...........

At Dierbergs, I found them with the cracker aisle..............

I didn't check Schnucks.

Those are the only Grocery stores I have in my area!!!

[LeanLioness]

Originally Posted by debkeversole

sometimes the grissini is in the pasta aisle found it at food city and earth fare found melba at food city they are also called thin Italian breadsticks



i have bran crispbread, wasa crackers, melba ,and grissini stored up for future use

recipe if ya have too

Gonna make some of these!!!

[silkandsand]

Originally Posted by debkeversole

sometimes the grissini is in the pasta aisle found it at food city and earth fare found melba at food city they are also called thin Italian breadsticks



i have bran crispbread, wasa crackers, melba ,and grissini stored up for future use

recipe if ya have too

Thank you! Should I omit the olive oil?

So far, I am losing great on Wasa and Kavli crackers.