The Truth about HCG

HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)

Popular doesn't mean proven, especially when it comes to weight loss drugs promoted heavily on the internet and television.

HCG, the latest craze in fad dieting, has been around since the 70s. It didn't work then and it doesn't work now. People are claiming miracle weight loss without proven studies to support their claims.
These are not only false, but dangerous.

HCG is only approved by the FDA to treat infertility. It has not been approved for weight loss.

Another claim HCG offers is a boost of energy. The energy actually comes from losing weight and not the hormone itself. HCG is often paired with a very low calorie diet, that is where the weight loss happens, in lowering your caloric intake. Often, these VLC diets are not monitored as they should be and are given to patients that should not be on them.
They also claim the the effects to be permanent. There is no permanent solution, weight is lost and maintained by proper diet and exercise.

The truth about HCG for weight loss
Kathleen M. Zelman, Mph, RD, LD

HCG weight-loss products are fraudulent, FDA says
Nanci Hellmich

Metabolic Medical Center does not use or promote the use of any drug or supplement that is not FDA approved and proven by clinical research and testing to be safe and effective for weight loss.


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Medical Weight Loss Programs
http://goingmetabolic.com

Is My Fridge Making Me Fat?

It makes you wonder does the fridge of a skinny person look different than mine? Well, other than the fact that I actually have food in mine. ( a little dig on skinny girls) All joking aside, I wondered what the inside of a Metabolic Medical Center friendly fridge looked like. I asked for a sneak peak and may have found the secret to their success.





1) I noticed a lot of tuna and salmon.
Both tuna and salmon were prepared as healthy dips for vegetables for afternoon snacks. There were also plenty of fish filets marinating for dinner. These are loaded with healthy Omega-3 fatty acids.

2) Fresh cut vegetables.
Whatever is on sale at the grocery store that week is cut up and placed in a clear container at the front of the refrigerator so it can be seen and grabbed in a hurry. We eat what we see.

3) Greek yogurt, and plenty of it.
Plain, non-fat Greek yogurt is a staple of a healthy fridge. Using yogurt plain is easily flavored. My friends use it plain as a mayo substitute, "creamy base", and flavored with extracts or sugar-free jello powder as a snack.

4) Fresh herbs were everywhere.
Flavor really makes a difference and having fresh herbs on hand just makes food taste good. Rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, cilantro, sage...and the list goes on. Who needs salt with all that flavor?

So, those were a few things I did see and here are a few things I didn't see.

1) No fruit juice.
It's like liquid sugar. Yes, it is fruit but it is so concentrated.Concentrated sugar and concentrated calories.

2) No peanut butter.
When it's right in front of you, it's so easy to grab a spoon and dip, and dip, and dip, well you get the idea. Yes, it's nuts, but they are very high in calories and fat. Yikes!

3) No bread.
If you're still trying to lose weight, there is no bread in an Metabolic friendly fridge. When you are maintaining your weight and exercising, talk to your MMC doctor about adding breads and other complex carbohydrates for a healthy well balanced diet.

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Common Foods That Contain Gluten

Foods that Contain Gluten

Gluten is a protein that is found in certain grains such as wheat, barley, rye and triticale or "crossbreads" (crosses between wheat and rye).

Gluten exsists in many foods you wouldn't expect. It is found in processed foods and used as a thickening agent in prepared frozen and boxed foods. 

Making these grains gluten-free is a process that removes this protein from the grain.

Want to know what foods have Gluten?

Common foods that contain gluten:

barley, wheat, rye, malt, pasta, malt vinegar, processed lunch meats*, beer, salad dressing*, bread, canned sauces*, cakes, pies, seasoned rice mixes*, cereal, snack chips*, cookies, crackers, canned soups*, croutons, vegetables in sauce*, french fries, gravy*

*used as a thickener

Always read labels to check for gluten content.

Read more about gluten

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Foods that Contain Gluten

Gluten Free Diets

There is a lot of attention surrounding gluten-free diets. It is known that people with celiac disease benefit from eliminating foods with gluten out of their diets permanently. The discussion now wonders if there is any benefit for patients trying to lose weight.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein that is found in certain grains such as wheat, barley, rye and triticale or "crossbreads" (crosses between wheat and rye). Making these grains gluten-free is a process that removes this protein from the grain.

What is a gluten-free diet?
A gluten-free diet is a diet free of wheat, barley, rye and many processed foods. According to the FDA, a permanent gluten-free diet is not recommended for people that do not have celiac disease. People with celiac disease should never eat foods with gluten because of the effect it has on their body.

How is Metabolic Medical Center different from a gluten-free diet?

Gluten-free is not synonymous with low-fat, low-sugar or low-carbohydrate diets. Gluten is a naturally occurring protein found in many carbohydrates. Carbohydrates turn into sugar in the body and the body processes the sugar into energy. What is not used as energy gets stored as fat. When starting a weight loss program at Metabolic Medical Center, carbohydrates are strictly controlled. This control maximizes the carbohydrate use in your body.

Once you lose weight, we work with you to add healthier carbohydrate choices back into your diet. To experience the full benefits of a healthy diet, limited carbohydrates must be paired with adequate protein and low-fat.

*Always read your food labels, the gluten-free foods are often processed and sugar laden.

Examples of foods containing gluten

barley, wheat, rye, malt, pasta, malt vinegar, processed lunch meats*, beer, salad dressing*, bread, canned sauces*, cakes, pies, seasoned rice mixes*, cereal, snack chips*, cookies, crackers, canned soups*, croutons, vegetables in sauce*,  french fries, gravy*

*used in processed foods as a thickening agent

Examples of foods without gluten

eggs, fresh fish, fresh beef, shellfish, fresh pork, fresh fruit, fresh chicken. fresh vegetable

Metabolic Medical Center

Medical Weight Loss Programs