How Does the Low-Calorie Phase of the Original 500-Calorie HCG Diet Differ from HCG 2.0?

Dr. Zachary Laboube
Oct 2
3 min read

Learn Why HCG 2.0 is the Smart HCG Diet!

If you’ve researched the HCG diet, you’ve probably come across references to Dr. Simeons’ original protocol from his book Pounds and Inches. That original plan, still followed in many circles, includes a loading phase, followed by a strict 500-calorie very low-calorie diet (VLCD) supported with HCG. While it has helped many people lose weight, it’s also outdated and overly rigid.

That’s where HCG 2.0 comes in — a modern, evidence-based update that makes the program more individualized, sustainable, and aligned with what we now know about nutrition and metabolism. HCG 2.0 was called "The Best Diet You've Never Heard Of," by eWellness Magazine! It has received over 600 five-star reviews on Amazon. It's not fad diet, so let’s break down the differences HCG 2.0 and the original Pounds and Inches HCG Diet.

The Loading Phase of the Original HCG 500-Calorie Diet: Calories with a Purpose

In the original Pounds and Inches HCG diet, the loading phase was simple: eat as much as you want, of anything, for two days while beginning your HCG. The idea was to stock up on calories before the 500-calorie phase.

But HCG 2.0 takes a smarter approach. Instead of a “stuff yourself with pizza and pastries” free-for-all, the HCG 2.0 loading phase is fat heavy, with an ideal 1:1 ratio of good fats to bad fats. Why? Because fats (especially healthy ones like Omega-3s) are calorically dense, satiating, and set the stage for ketosis, while unhealthy Omega-6 heavy oils should be balanced out rather than consumed unchecked.

Loading with a purpose makes the transition to calorie restriction smoother, while priming your body to burn fat rather than sugar. It can also be a lot of fun if you're strategic with it. Many choose to begin the HCG Diet Loading Phase over a holiday weekend whey they can indulge with a purpose.

Why 500 Calories Isn’t Sensible for Everyone

The strict 500-calorie diet from the original HCG plan treats everyone the same. But let’s be honest — a 5’2” woman and a 6’2” man with more muscle mass do not have the same energy needs.

HCG 2.0 fixes this by incorporating a Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) calculation. This simple formula accounts for your height, weight, gender, and muscle mass to determine a calorie prescription that works for you. This means:

You lose weight at an appropriate pace.
You maintain lean muscle mass.
You burn unwanted fat — not muscle.

A Ketosis-Based Approach: No Fruit, Smarter Protein

Another key difference is that fruit is excluded in HCG 2.0. Why? Because fruit is sugar — yes, natural sugar, but still sugar. And if ketosis is proven to target fat, why sabotage it by adding sugar back into your plan?

Instead, HCG 2.0 emphasizes:

Low-carb vegetables for micronutrients and fiber.
Protein differentiation: the leaner the protein, the more you can eat. For example, you can eat more tuna than beef because tuna is leaner. This gives you variety without stalling fat loss.

This science-based structure makes the plan more ketogenic, ensuring that your body stays in fat-burning mode.

The InsideOut Wellness Philosophy: Beyond the Scale

At InsideOut Wellness, the HCG 2.0 protocol isn’t just about short-term weight loss. The goal is sustainability. We don’t want you to just lose weight for a vacation or reunion; we want you to create a new, healthier relationship with food that lasts.

That’s why Dr. Zach and the InsideOut Wellness version emphasizes:

Smarter loading (good fats > bad fats).
Individualized calorie targets (via BMR). To determine your daily caloric intake, visit the homepage and complete the BMR calculation.
Lean protein variety.
Low-carb, ketosis-driven fat loss.

The scale is just one measure of progress. Energy, confidence, and a lifestyle you can live with long-term matter more.

✅ The original Pounds and Inches HCG diet was groundbreaking in its time.

✅ But HCG 2.0 is practical, personalized, and proven to help people not just lose weight, but keep it off.

If you’ve tried the original 500-calorie diet and struggled, or if you’re ready for a plan that works with your body instead of against it, it’s time to try HCG 2.0 with InsideOut Wellness.