It seems as though millions of websites offering HCG for sale and HCG prices are all over the map. The question is, how do you get the best product for the lowest price? Here is some good advice on what to look for:
Many websites offer the HCG diet at amazingly low prices, but as the old saying goes; you get what you pay for. In fact, many of these websites are offering a product that may be expired, or worse, tainted.
The source of this article, hcgdirect.com, is an example of a reputable group, in my opinion. The first and foremost piece of advice, which applies to every business transaction you do, is to deal with reputable people.
Mixing HCG can sometimes seem a little complicated. All you have to do is know how much HCG you are starting with and the concentration that you want for daily dosing. Then you can calculate how much bacteriostatic water to mix with it. All the possible questions about how to mix hcg injections are answered most comprehensively in this article that just came out a few days ago. You can even get a handy little online calculator, just in case you are math-challenged!
Once you determine the right HCG dosage and desired shot amount for your HCG weight loss, you need to calculate the amount of Bacteriostatic water needed for HCG mixing. (Download a copy of HCG Mixing Calculator here). …
Of course, these instructions are just for those brave souls who insist on using the injectable form of HCG. My personal preference, which has worked for me and all of my clients, is still the sublingual form. Some companies that offer this form already have simple, foolproof directions for how to mix it in the right concentration for daily dosing. In fact, this is what I talk about at my Where to Order HCG link above (and here).
Recently I wrote about my perspective on homeopathic HCG. The bottom line message is that, at least scientifically speaking, the jury is still out. This does not mean to negate the many testimonials by people who have used it, or the many companies who sell it. My point of view is simply a cautious one because homeopathic HCG generally does not fit in with homeopathic medicine. Read more… »
Here is a little video that I posted on YouTube. Below is my article on this topic, which has further details on what you can expect in the way of hcg side effects.
HCG vs Protocol
Side effects of HCG may be caused by a reaction to the hormone, a reaction to the very low-calorie diet, a reaction to substances released from metabolized fat, or combinations of all of these. Determining cause and effect is not really possible. However, if the approved medical uses of HCG for treating infertility or low testosterone are any indication, certain side effects of HCG alone may be possible.
Medical Use of HCG vs HCG Diet
Treating infertility with HCG requires doses of 10,000 IU. This is a typical dose of HCG for medical treatments. One drug company that makes Pregnyl (the most common brand name for HCG) lists the following unwanted symptoms of this high dose:
Headache, irritability, restlessness, depression, fatigue, edema, precocious puberty, gynecomastia (i.e., breast enlargement in males).
These are due to the high doses that are used in medical treatment. The question is whether they are also associated with the low doses of HCG that are used for the HCG diet.
Observations of Common Side Effects
The following observations are derived from reports by clients who have gone through the HCG protocol and from my own experience.
FATIGUE: The most common one is fatigue. This occurs almost 100% of the time. It is independent of starting weight or health status. People who work out regularly are less able to keep up their workout intensity. Those who are out of shape and inactive in the first place slow down even further.
IRRITABILITY: The ‘significant others’ of HCG dieters notice this first. It is very common. In my own experience, I even felt more irritable. By the end of the protocol, the quick recovery back to normal, after being more irritable for a month or more, was like going from night to day.
HEADACHE: At least 10 percent of the HCG dieters report headaches for the first few days of the protocol. Headaches stop after the body’s initial water loss during this period, when sufficient water intake begins to rehydrate the body. Water intake is the key to reversing this brief period of accelerated dehydration.
REDUCED NEED FOR SLEEP: Many dieters report that they sleep less during the protocol. This is a well-recognized side effect of the HCG diet. People do not feel as though they are sleep deprived. They just seem to need less sleep.
CONSTIPATION: Dieters who are prone to constipation notice that it is more pronounced on the protocol. It is crucial to treat this symptom immediately so that passage of waste, as well as daily weight loss, proceeds normally every day. Constipation will otherwise slow down or stop weight loss completely.
MINOR OCCURRENCES: Dozens of side effects that have been reported to be associated with the HCG diet are much more difficult to validate. Most seem to be associated with bad health. Blogs and forums are rife with reports of these kinds of symptoms. However, the only other side effects that are common enough to be expected are the beneficial ones, as mentioned below.
Beneficial Side Effects
Dr. A.T.W. Simeons already reported these observations in 1954. The main ones of greatest impact to modern users of the protocol are: 1) normalizing blood sugar metabolism; 2) lowering cholesterol; and, 3) lowering blood pressure.
Dr. Simeons’ explanations of these side effects are detailed in his book, Pounds and Inches. They are to be expected for everyone who undertakes the protocol. Besides fat loss, these are most crucial results from the protocol. They help slow down and even reverse hypoglycemia, diabetes, and heart disease.
Chef Toni Tanner Scott is a real pro. In this video she offers a super delicious recipe that is simple, easy, and quick.
The only change that I suggest in her video is to avoid the use of a non-stick pan. Non-stick polymers are not inert. They will leach chemicals into your food that are bad for your health. I suggest stainless steel, which is what I use.
HCG diet recipes seem to be everywhere. Cookbooks are usually pretty expensive. Blogs and websites offer contradictory information. So I took matters into my own hands, made my own HCG meals tasty and filling, and put together my favorite recipes. Call me the Iron Chef of the HCG Diet if you wish. I had fun, and the result is a set of simple, easy to use recipes for everyone. Cheap, too. Watch the video or just go directly to my Recommended Books link above and check it our for yourself.
HCG diet recipes should be simple, easy, and flavorful. Key ingredients include the right spices, herbs, and sweeteners for making the entire protocol satisfying and enjoyable. You can even dine out without violating the HCG diet, if you know what to look for on a restaurant menu.
The Trouble With Protein
Protein sources that are allowed on the HCG diet are limited in their variety and in their inherent flavor. White fish, shellfish, and chicken breast are just plain dull without fat. If you could follow Julia Child’s advice to smother everything in butter (not allowed on the HCG diet!), you would get a lot more flavor from these foods. So avoiding fat and still getting flavor is the challenge
The key to making the protein sources flavorful is simply how you use herbs and spices. There really is not much to it. Garlic and onion are the most important of these. Hot sauce, chili powder, cilantro, parsley, tarragon, oregano, and many more highly flavorful spices make any dish of chicken or fish taste great. If you do it right, you can even have tacos! And if you are careful, you can incorporate extra lean ground beef.
Mother Nature’s Veggies
Vine-ripened tomatoes and cucumbers (both of which are really fruits, by the way), young asparagus spears, and dark green leafy greens are as good as it gets from Mother Nature. If you had a source for these, which would almost have to be locally grown, then cooking would not be necessary.
However, since the most inexpensive and easy to find veggies are going to be at your supermarket, then you will want to flavor them up a bit, or maybe a lot. They will have very little flavor, because they have been picked unripe, put into cold storage, then fumigated with ethylene gas to make them look ripe.
The keys to making flavorful veggie dishes are the same as for protein dishes. Herbs and spices make everything much more enjoyable. Oh, and there are some allowable vegetable combinations, such as cucumber and lettuce, that work just fine in spite of violating Dr. Simeons’ original protocol.
Chocolate Strawberries and Other Great Desserts
Like veggies, fruits are at their tastiest when Mother Nature takes them to ripeness. However, if you by chance want to really liven up some not so ripe strawberries, a chocolate sauce sweetened with Stevia is a great choice. The key is mixing the right proportions of unsweetened cocoa powder and flavored liquid Stevia (Vanilla Creme or Dark Chocolate are the best) into a fruit dip. Freezing and serving chocolate-covered strawberries is a real delight!
Even if your apple happens to be a little tart, you can transform it into an allowable applesauce. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, with flavored liquid Stevia, are the key ingredients. All you have to do is slice the apple, cover and bake it at 350 degrees for 30 minutes (with one-fourth cup of water), then puree and add spices. Wonderful!
Stevia to the Rescue
None of the artificial sweeteners are good for your health. And some, such as aspartame, are downright dangerous. Stevia is the best of the lot if you want a sweetener without side effects. Well, you might detect an aftertaste if you use unflavored Stevia powder. The flavored liquids, however, open up all kinds of sweetening adventures without the aftertaste. Imagine adding these new flavors to your fruit desserts: English Toffee, Apricot Nectar, Chocolate Raspberry, Cinnamon, Chocolate, Grape, Lemon, Peppermint, Root Beer, Valencia Orange, Vanilla Crème.
By the way, liquid Stevia makes any beverage sweet and flavorful, too. I like English Toffee in my coffee, so I no longer feel the need to fuel my sugar addiction in my java. Although commercial sodas are the greatest diet evil in human history (am I being too wishy washy on what I think?), you can make a delicious and healthful soda on your own with flavored liquid Stevia. Just add a few drops of any flavor to club soda and there you have it. Nothing better.
Melba Toast
Okay, there is not much you can do with Melba Toast all by itself. Flavored Melba crackers do offer actual flavor, though (e.g., garlic, sesame). However, you can incorporate Melba Toast into meat dishes, such as meatloaf, to maximize your flavor experience from the starchy component of the HCG diet.
The HCG diet is light years better when you can add tasty dishes to the everyday meals. One of my all time favorite recipes is for applesauce. I found it accidentally on YouTube, so I am posting it here in case you haven’t encountered it yet. I like this recipe so much that I use it instead of store-bought applesauce. It is easy, convenient, and delicious!
I hope you enjoy this HCG diet recipe at least much as I do.
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