At Alevizos Medical in Irvine, California, board-certified integrative medicine specialist Dr. John Alevizos is changing the narrative around weight management, and the hCG diet is a crucial part of that puzzle for many patients.
With more than three decades of experience and consistently outstanding patient reviews, Dr. Alevizos is well known for his time-tested insights into weight management. He knows what works for weight loss and partners with our patients to help them succeed.
While hCG injections are part of the diet and provide an excellent “power up,” what you eat is still important. Here are some of the key foods to enjoy and avoid.
The hCG diet starts with a “gorging” phase in which you eat a lot of calories and high-fat foods. This phase lasts a couple of days and helps you build up fat stores to burn off in the main phase of the diet: The very low-calorie diet.
Most patients eat 500-800 calories per day, based on the specific plan Dr. Alevizos designs. Within that limit, it’s important to focus on lean proteins, low-sugar fruits, and certain vegetables to help preserve muscle and support energy levels.
Lean proteins are the cornerstone of the diet. Skinless chicken breast, white fish, shrimp, lean ground beef, and egg whites are all great choices because they provide protein without a lot of extra fat.
Protein is important because it helps keep you full while also helping you burn extra fat. Many people on a rapid weight loss diet lose not only fat but also muscle. Studies show that maintaining a high protein intake can help you avoid that.
Non-starchy vegetables are another great choice for the hCG diet. Choose greens such as spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, celery, cabbage, and asparagus.
These vegetables give you plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, but are also low in calories. To maximize nutrient intake and avoid extra calories, choose simple preparation methods like grilling or steaming. Some low-cal, low-sugar oils or sauces are allowed, so check with Dr. Alevizos for ideas to add flavor without extra calories or fat.
Fruits are usually limited to a couple of small portions daily. Apples, grapefruit, and citrus fruits are good choices. They provide natural sweetness without spiking your blood sugar levels.
Hydration supports your metabolism and helps you burn fat with peak efficiency. Dr. Alevizos may also suggest other beverages you can enjoy between meals, such as herbal teas or black coffee.
Certain foods can really derail a rapid weight loss plan: Processed foods, refined carbs, and high-sugar snacks are all major culprits. In general, this means you should skip baked goods, fried foods, and other foods that may have hidden sugars and high levels of unhealthy fats.
While it’s good to enjoy certain veggies, starchier options like potatoes and corn are generally no-nos during the active weight-loss phase of the hCG diet.
One of the big goals with the hCG diet is avoiding “empty calories.” For example, soft drinks can contain lots of sugar and a couple hundred calories but do absolutely nothing to satiate you. High sugar intake can spike your insulin levels, which, in turn, makes your body less responsive to the hCG hormone and slows weight loss.
After completing the active weight loss phase, Dr. Alevizos guides you through maintenance. At that point, you’ll add in some of the foods you’ve avoided so far.
But the focus is still on eating foods that nourish your body while protecting your health. Maintaining a healthy weight can help you avoid many serious health threats, including Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Dr. Alevizos understands that every person’s body is different, and he tailors each plan to fit your lifestyle, preferences, and metabolism. His holistic approach focuses not only on achieving your target weight but also on boosting your energy, self-confidence, and overall wellness.
Alevizos Medical offers full-spectrum weight management support, including other options like GLP-1s and hormone balancing, to help you hit your weight loss goals.
Ready to hop on the hCG success train? Call Alevizos Medical at 949-916-3600 to book your consultation with Dr. Alevizos now.
