Phase 2 of the HCG diet is the cut down of your calorie intake. You are only allowed to have 500 calories per day. Hunger is normal in the first few weeks of the VLCD. However, it will be gone as soon as the HCG will successfully reset your metabolism. There are many ways to stave off the possible onset of cravings. It can be through healthy food choices or a good habit.
Be careful with your cravings because it ruins your weight loss when you do not know how to deal with it. You can have various tips to deal with cravings without depriving yourself. Dealing with food cravings on the HCG diet is finding a means to end it. You do not have to deal it through eating because there are other effective ways to stave it without eating. Do not prolong the effect of cravings because it can cause nutrient deficiency
How to end ravings on P2 of the HCG diet?
- Manage your intake of calories
You can eat small amounts or 100 calories per serving throughout the day. Divide your intake of calories into 5 portions which come out into 100 calories each. Drink water, during breakfast and have one serving of fruit in between meals. Your stomach will feel less hunger pain when you continue to do this meal technique.
- Eat the foods that are filling
Fruits and vegetable can be an incredible meal that can keep you full for the whole time. These healthy food choices will help you stay on your diet without starving. Filling foods are excellent food choices for greater weight loss. The foods that contain fiber and protein are very filling. You can find these on your HCG diet food list.
- Stay hydrated
Drinking water in every meal will help you get full faster and save calories for the later in the day. It can also aid in natural weight loss and it flushes out toxins from the parts of your body. Water can help you shed water weight and stops bloating and various causes of weight gain. Avoid sugar-sweetened water, sparkling water and other flavoured drinking water.
- Drink tea or coffee
Tea is as filling as water and you can have it as much as you want during the VLCD. It helps boost your focus and ends high-stress levels. Coffee as well as a metabolism booster and appetite suppressant. This is also helpful in curbing hunger and staves off cravings. However, you have to make sure that you drink unsweetened tea or coffee during the HCG diet.
- Determine the cause of your hunger/cravings
Hunger is a signal that your body needs food. But, repetitive hunger and cravings are caused by emotions. It is also caused by improper loading of unhealthy foods. To stave off cravings, stick to the P2 way of loading. Do not skip your meals to avoid hunger pains. Healthy foods are filling and helpful for greater weight loss. Healthy foods as well as fuel the HCG for fat burning.
The success of the VLCD or phase 2 is not just about how you fight cravings. This is also about maintaining the HCG shot and having healthy habits. HCG diet phase 2 means cutting down of calories and transitioning your body as well as your metabolism. This is a way of preparation for phase 3. P3 is the stabilization of the weight loss you have achieved. You cannot go to phase 3 if you did not accomplish the VLCD.
How to start Phase 3 of the HCG diet?
This is when you are done with your Phase 2 which is the very low-calorie diet. You have to be careful with the foods that you are going to introduce back on your diet. You have to gradually add more food choices on your meal so that your body will have much time to adjust. The usual duration of phase 3 lasts for 21 days. You must complete the duration to avoid failure and metabolic problems. Spend a great deal of time to adjust from real foods.
More tips for a successful implementation of the P3 of the HCG diet
- Load on food slowly
Starting slowly or gradually will give your body time to adapt more foods. You must also read food labels and stay away from sugar and starches. Eating slowly can help you control your intake of calories. You still have to continue loading healthy food choices even after your very low-calorie diet.
- Track your progress
Track the progress of your weight stabilization. This is to make sure that you can do something right away in case of weight gain. You also have to track every single food you eat. Make sure that you keep a record on your intake of calories to prevent weight gain.
- Continue to be mindful in eating
Be mindful in everything you do because it is a big help in weight loss stabilization. Mindfulness will help you determine physical and emotional hunger. It can also help you with food choices and portions. Mindfulness can as well improve your focus and prevents you from stress.
Foods you can add back on P3 of the HCG diet
- Eggs, cheese, and dairy- These are beneficial for the functions of your brain. It is a great source of calcium, protein, and fats. It is also loaded with vitamin B-12, zinc, omega 3 fatty acids, and riboflavin. It improves skin and bone health as you stabilize your weight loss. Dairy products maintain healthy blood pressure.
- Seafood such as crab, lobster, fish and shrimp- Seafood is sources of excellent protein compared to other meats. It is also loaded with important minerals that include potassium and zinc. Eating seafood can promote heart and brain health because it is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.
- Carrots, mushrooms, and sprouts- Carrots are linked to lower the cholesterol levels on your body. Mushroom too is considered as one of the superfoods. This is because of its health-promoting properties that help bodily functions. Sprouts, as well as help for easier digestion and it, improve blood sugar levels.