Phase 3 is a challenge for a lot of dieters and choosing the right foods and healthy recipes is critical to stabilizing and ultimate success.
Many of us have tried so many diets in the past that when it comes time to transition to Phase 3 we freak out and worry about gaining weight. The fact is that this phase is critical to setting your new metabolic set-point and it is important to immediately start eating NORMAL calories. Yes, there will be wild swings at first. Do a steak day whenever you need to and continue to eat normal food and calories. It may take a week or two but at some point before the 3 weeks on Phase 3 (no sugar/no starch) your weight will settle down and stabilize.
So here are a few HCG Diet Recipe tips to help you stabilize on Phase 3
- Choose full fat foods. Contrary to what we’ve been taught… it isn’t the fat that makes people fat. In fact, fat actually curbs hunger and is essential for the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals. Getting enough healthy fats like omega 3 fatty acids is essential to stabilizing on Phase 3 and maintaining weight.
- Make protein the star at each meal. A delicious Phase 3 recipe would have a hearty dose of protein like chicken, seafood, steak, or eggs with a side of vegetables. A phase 3 meal could be served with a side salad with full fat dressing, and even a fresh fruit dessert.
- Enjoy a hearty breakfast. Start the day off right with plenty of protein like a veggie omelette with a side of berries.
- Use the glycemic index of foods to help you stabilize.
- Prepare your own Phase 3 meals and avoid processed foods. Many processed food and restaurant condiments have added hidden sugars and starches. To stabilize on Phase 3, it is safer to prepare your own recipes and healthy meals for your family.
- Eat normal daily calories and frequent healthy snacks and mini-meals to keep your blood sugars at healthy levels and avoid cravings.
Does your cook book cover mostly Phase 3 recipes and maintance recipes?
Hi Leanne! My cookbook is primarily for Phase 2 although I do include tips for Phase 3. My next cookbook, which will be coming out soon, will also be for P2, and the cookbook I have coming out early next year will be for Phase 3. Hope that helps!
Is Winter Squash (Butternut, Buttercup), considered a starch?
Hi Bernadette! Yes, winter squash IS a starch!
Hi Tara! In Phase 4, the Maintenance Phase, you can move to most anything you want to eat, as long as it’s a healthy version of it. You’ll also gradually introducing starches and carbohydrates back into your diet. This is the transition back to “real life” and normal eating patterns. Your weight should be monitored daily. I recommend a diet high in fiber and healthy grains, fruits, vegetables, and protein. You’ll also want to get back to taking healthy supplements and a green drink, especially if you have multiple rounds to do and plan to go back on the diet to lose additional weight. I recommend doing your best to avoid processed food as much as possible and minimize sugar in your diet.
Best of luck!
I am almost done with phase 2 (R1D12 down 11 lbs.) and have lived with your Gourmet Cookbook close to my side. In the back it says you have a Stabilizing Phase cookbook, but it looks like it isn’t available yet. Please tell me I can get it somewhere??? Thanks.
Hi Rebecca and congratulations on your 11 pound weight loss! Thanks for using and enjoying my P2 cookbook too! I’m still cooking away, working on my P3 cookbook and it’s not ready yet so it won’t be available until later in the year. If you’re not already on my email list, you can join it at http://www.HCGRecipes.com for the first announcement, disounts, recipes, tips, etc. Also, in case you didn’t notice, my cookbooks also have quite a few P3 Modifications. Best of continued luck on your diet!