Intermittent Fasting vs HCG Diet

Key Takeaways

• Intermittent fasting and the HCG diet are both popular diets for weight loss, but they differ in their approaches. Intermittent fasting restricts when you can eat, while the HCG diet restricts calories and includes hormone injections.

• Intermittent fasting has numerous benefits beyond weight loss, such as improving insulin resistance, cholesterol levels, and disease prevention. These benefits are backed by research, making it a safe and effective weight loss tool.

• The HCG diet has been found to be effective in helping people lose weight, but its long-term benefits are still being researched. Additionally, the use of HCG hormone injections is not FDA-approved for over-the-counter use and can lead to serious problems if not used under a doctor's orders.

• Intermittent fasting may be a more sustainable and safe approach to weight loss, as it allows for more flexibility in food intake and helps maintain muscle mass. The HCG diet, on the other hand, may provide quick weight loss results, but it may not be suitable for everyone and should be approached with caution.

• It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or weight loss program to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual needs.

Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is a well-established weight loss tool that helps you drop pounds by restricting when you can eat, not what you can eat. In addition to weight loss, those who intermittent fast can see far-reaching benefits throughout their life. It helps with insulin resistance, cholesterol levels, slow metabolisms, sleep problems, disease prevention, and so much more.

What’s even better is a lot of these benefits have been documented by research, so you know it’s safe and effective. You can pair intermittent fasting with other diets, including calorie-restrictive diets like the HCG diet, for even more dramatic results.

Benefits of HCG Diet

In the 1950s, Dr. Albert Simeons started the HGC diet as a weight-loss tool, combining it with a low-calorie diet of about 500 calories per day and HCG hormone shots. There are three phases, and he believed that it helped boost your metabolism. He thought it would help you lose fat without feeling hungry. The HCG diet has been found to be effective in helping people lose weight. However, it’s because of the calorie restriction and not because of the HGC shot. While growing in popularity, more research is needed to determine other long-term benefits of the HCG diet.

What are the Differences?

There are several differences between intermittent fasting and the HCG diet. Let’s discuss them below.

• Amount of Food

Intermittent fasting allows you to hone your eating windows without calorie restriction. That doesn’t mean you can binge eat while you’re not fasting. You’ll still want to be mindful of how and what you eat, focusing on protein, fiber, and healthy fats. 

The HCG diet restricts how many calories you can eat in a day, often as low as 500 calories. This can be difficult to get proper nutrition, so be mindful of any deficits in your diet and take supplements to counteract them when following the HCG diet. 

• FDA Approval

The HCG diet consists of a calorie restriction diet and HCG hormone injections. At this time, no HCG hormone injections are FDA approved for over-the-counter use, though you can get HCG products like oral drops, pellets, and sprays online and in various stores. HCG can be used by doctors, often used to treat fertility problems; however, when used without a doctor’s orders, it can lead to serious problems. 

• Muscle Mass

You may lose muscle mass when you are on the HCG diet. This is because of the calorie restriction. Often on these types of diets, you don’t get enough protein, which are essential building blocks to grow and maintain healthy muscles. If you don’t have enough protein to maintain your muscles, your body will start breaking them down to burn for fuel. Intermittent fasting helps you maintain muscle mass.

How to Choose?

Many doctors tout how safe and effective intermittent fasting is, while the same cannot be said about the HCG diet.  There are better ways to restrict your calories than pairing them with an unregulated hormone dose that could be potentially harmful. If you are interested in HGC, consult with your doctor. 

FAQ

• How long should you fast during intermittent fasting?

The length of intermittent fasting can vary depending on the specific type of fasting, but it typically ranges from 12 to 24 hours.

What are the potential risks of the HCG diet?

• Some potential risks of the HCG diet include nutrient deficiencies, gallstones, and electrolyte imbalances.

How much weight can you lose with the HCG diet?

The amount of weight you can lose on the HCG diet varies, but most people can expect to lose between 1 and 2 pounds per day.

• What can you eat on the HCG diet?

The HCG diet limits food intake to 500 calories daily, consisting of a few specific food choices, such as lean protein, fruits, and vegetables.

• Is the HCG diet a sustainable diet plan?

The HCG diet is not considered a sustainable diet plan, as it requires significant calorie restriction and can lead to nutrient deficiencies.

• Is intermittent fasting or the HCG diet better for long-term weight loss?

Long-term weight loss success depends on various factors, including diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Both intermittent fasting and a healthy balanced diet are effective for long-term weight loss combined with exercise and lifestyle changes.