The HCG diet protocol is based on the two principles:
- Patients are required to have a daily injection of the HCG hormone.
- They have to limit their calorie intake to only 500 calories a day. It should be spread between lunch and dinner with an unlimited amount of water, tea, and coffee throughout the day.
A modified version of the protocol calls for 750 to 1000 calories per day. These options appeal to a lot of dieters who are not able to survive with only 500 calories per day.
500-calorie intake
A 500-calorie intake a day falls short of a healthy number of calories for an adult. By comparing the calorie counts of popular foods, you can figure out how much (or how little) 500 calories is. A slice of pepperoni pizza contains about 250 calories while two pieces of fried chicken contain about 400 calories. But the principle of using a 500-calorie intake on the HCG diet is specifically designed to support and optimize the whole process of losing weight. Coupled with HCG injection, restricting your calorie intake will force your body to use stored fat as a source of energy.
Despite the calorie restriction, proper nutrition is maintained as the protocol calls for large calories from fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources. By restricting calories, the fat cells can’t store new fat and it doesn’t get stored in adipose tissues.
During the weight loss phase, which lasts from three to six weeks, your body is using far more than the 500 calories you consume. You burn around 1,500 calories to 4,000 calories a day but you have the hormone to back you up and burn the stored fats. The 500-calorie intake will only optimize the whole process. But breaking the protocol by eating less than 500 calories a day can somehow affect the outcome.
Now, back to the main question.
Can I eat less than 500 calories in a day while on the HCG Diet?
The answer is yes and no. It all depends on the reason why you want to eat less than 500 calories. If you are truly not hungry, and you find yourself eating very little, then it’s okay to eliminate your carb options but DO NOT do this all the time. And do not eliminate any other food options except for carbohydrates. You may skip carbs but not your two proteins.
Generally, you will need all 500 calories most days. As you become leaner and with less weight to lose, say between 10 to 20 pounds, you may need more than 500 calories some days, possibly up to 600 to 800 calories.
If you feel the need to consume more than 500 calories, say around 600, then that is normal as well. If you are still hungry for a lot more, then there is something wrong with your dose. As much as possible, try to stick with the protocol. Do not go beyond or less than the required calories per day.