Modern medicine has eradicated many of the health problems that plagued the world for millennium. These have been replaced with diseases and injuries unique to our sedentary lifestyles. One of the top causes of death is morbid obesity.
While most people have been made aware that physical activity can improve their health and can lead to weight loss, many people find that this isn’t sufficient to stay thin. Concern about the epidemic of obesity has led to creation of countless fad diets. Unfortunately, these diets are usually either unrealistic or unhealthy, if not both.
In the 1970’s, Dr. Simeons discovered that the hormone hcg was effective in assisting dieters in losing weight. hcg, normally found in pregnant women, causes fat cells to release their stored fat. These calories are sufficient to prevent hunger pangs and cravings, even when the dieters are limited to 500 calories per day.
Patients participating in hcg very low calorie diets, or vlcd, do not have cravings or hunger pangs. Within most cultures, eating as a group is an activity that is both emotionally and socially satisfying. Many people are concerned that hcg vlcd recipes will make them feel isolated from their friends and family.
With a little bit of planning, hcg diet patients can make choices that are within the guidelines given to them by their healthcare providers while still offering the opportunity to participate in events involving food. Here are some tips on how to cook delicious food without cheating:
Foods that fit well into the very low calorie hcg diet are often high in water with very little fat. Most fruits and vegetables, broths and low-fat milk products are low in calories but filling.
A helpful way to reduce the number of calories in your food is to add in a variety of colorful, appealing vegetables to a family favorite. Steamed chopped cauliflower is easily hidden in baked macaroni and cheese sauce. Remember that the vegetables have fewer calories per cup than pasta does, so using a large portion of cauliflower and moderate amount of pasta helps. You could even substitute cauliflower for ALL of the mac and cheese if you wanted!
In addition to adding extra vegetables to a dish, reducing the fat in a recipe will lower the calories substantially. Stir frying uses a very hot pan and a small amount of oil for the classic crisp-tender texture. It’s also possible to get results similar to a classic saute if you use small amounts of low fat liquid (broth or juice, for example) in place of the heated fat.
Minimally processed foods also tend to be lower in calories while still satisfying. For example, one serving of grapefruit juice is unlikely to make you substantially less hungry, whereas a serving of grapefruit is far more filling, especially if it is plated attractively.
Studies have shown that dieters eating a low calorie appetizer or broth eaten before meals feel full sooner and eat fewer calories.
Switching from heavily marbled meats to lean poultry and fish will lower the calorie intake without compromising on portion sizes. Cooking with all egg whites instead of whole eggs will also slash unwanted calories from your diet. Beans and lentils are an inexpensive, fiber rich low fat protein source that go nicely with lots of different meals in place of meat!
Be careful with high fat foods such as avocados, olives, cheese and nuts. They are good protein sources and contain valuable fats. Unfortunately, they are very high in fat and calories, making it easy to over eat
Many of these tips and tricks are familiar to anybody familiar with dieting. However, pulling out these tried and true “old chestnuts” is a great way to help you to be more successful while you are dieting. Don’t feel sorry for yourself Your friends and family will enjoy trying out any hcg vlcd recipes that you share and may even join you in your weight loss process.